KUALA LUMPUR – Politics makes for strange bedfellows, as DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng suggested that former federal minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz be included in the National Recovery Council (NRC), saying the Iron Lady is “one who will not fear to speak truth to power”.
Lim also named economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram, cardiologist Tan Sri Dr Yahya Awang and Royal Selangor International Sdn Bhd chairman Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon.
“There is a need for new thinking instead of stubborn tribalism or groupthink, where the government can no longer cling to approaches and measures that are ineffective to fight Covid-19,” he said in a statement today.
“If the government is committed and serious to save the country out of the gravest economic and health crisis in history, then experts in NRC must not be politically connected or linked with contentious legacies of the previous government.
“There is sufficient political representation from government ministers and opposition parties. Experts in NRC must not only have a professional background, but also possess unbridled courage to speak truth to power.”
He said equally alarming is the dire straits of the economy, “with anaemic growth expected this year, in contrast to the overly optimistic projections of 7.5% gross domestic product by the Perikatan Nasional government”.
“DAP has not received any official notification, and will consider our participation after receipt and studying the terms of reference.”
Lim suggested that Star Media Group adviser Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai be replaced by Yong, as the latter has the “expertise and background”.
He also said it is ironic for International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali to be included in NRC with former Khazanah Nasional Bhd managing director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar.
“Azmin is the most aggressive in attacking Azman’s stewardship of Khazanah. In 2018, he revealed in Parliament that Khazanah lost US$20 million (RM85 million) in a lingerie retailer in India, and RM3 billion in investment via private equity to take over a bank.
“If Azman is now appointed, is this not a humiliating slap in the face for Azmin, who should not sit in NRC if he is a man of honour?” – The Vibes, July 24, 2021
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