The Malaysian Insight

The Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) is shocked to discover the extent of the damage the previous Barisan Nasional government has wreaked on the country.

On the CEP’s 100th day, its chairman Daim Zainuddin said the “rot” BN had caused was evident from day one of the council’s investigations.

“To be honest, we did not expect the (damage to be of this) magnitude and severity… We were extremely disheartened to learn the extent of the damage. The council realised on the very first day,” he said in a press conference at Ilham Tower, today. 

“We are disappointed that those entrusted to protect the nation have let us down.”

The former finance minister said the previous BN government’s misdeeds should never be repeated in the new Malaysia. 

“Issues such as overspending, non-beneficial mega projects, financial scandals like 1MDB… (these) cannot be repeated ever again.” 

Daim said Malaysia should continue to court foreign investors so that the economy picked up and jobs were created.

“We always welcome foreign investments but they must benefit the country while the investors must also profit,” he said, stressing that the investments must create jobs for the people. 

The CEP’s mandate to advise the new government for 100 days ended yesterday. 

The council, said Daim, met 350 individuals from more than 200 organisations including “regulatory enforcement agencies, bankers, trade associations, chambers of commerce, corporations, SMEs, consumers, producers, retailers, contractors, taxi drivers, hawkers, farmers, activists, artists, NGOs, the disabled community and many other stakeholders”.

The CEP will be presenting a report to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad upon his return from China. – August 20, 2018.