Explain CEP extension, Maria urges Putrajaya
The PKR MP says the CEP’s terms and how long it will continue to exist must be made clear.
(FMT) – PKR’s Maria Chin Abdullah is urging the government to explain its decision to extend the services of the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) beyond Pakatan Harapan’s first 100 days.
The activist-turned-politician said while the council had set policies in the right direction, there was a need for Putrajaya to explain the extension of the CEP’s services.
“What are the terms of the CEP and who appoints its leaders, and how long will it continue to exist? This must be made clear to the public,” the Petaling Jaya MP said in a statement.
A few days ago, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad quashed speculation that the council would be disbanded, saying he still needed their services until “all problems are solved.”
He also said he never set the 100-day deadline for the council’s services.
Last month, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong said the CEP would be around for 100 days and after that it would be disbanded.
Mahathir announced the establishment of the CEP after being sworn in as prime minister on May 10, saying it was needed to stabilise a government of inexperienced ministers.
The CEP comprises former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, former Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, former Petronas CEO Hassan Marican, tycoon Robert Kuok and economist KS Jomo.
Earlier this month, Zeti said meetings with stakeholders had been put on hold for now as the deadline for the advisory body to complete its tasks was just around the corner.
She added that the council was in the midst of preparing a full report.
On a separate matter, Maria said there was still a need to abolish the oppressive laws that were used by the previous regime to deny Malaysians their right to free speech.
The former Bersih 2.0 chair said even though the government has repealed the Anti-Fake News Law, there are still many oppressive laws still waiting to be undone, including the Sedition Act, the Peaceful Assembly Act and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) among others.
“The government, therefore, needs to act more firmly and impose a moratorium to ensure that such abuses no longer happen before it has time to repeal these laws.”
