KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir (Jerlun-Pejuang) insists that his father and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Langkawi-Pejuang) should be the one to lead the National Recovery Council (NRC) as the Langkawi MP does not hold any political interests.
While debating the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat today, Mukhriz panned the government over the appointment of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Pagoh-Bersatu) to the council, saying the former prime minister was unable to address the Covid-19 pandemic crisis in the country, even when holding the highest position in office.
“If, at the time, he (Muhyiddin) could not do it (resolve the crisis), how can he pull it off now?” Mukhriz said.
He added that, unlike the current make-up of the council, Dr Mahathir had proposed it comprise a majority of specialists in relevant fields familiar with the best approaches to save the country.
Mukhriz, who is also former Kedah menteri besar, said the council was also originally mooted by Dr Mahathir during the previous administration under Muhyiddin.
“However, what we found was that only 50% of the council is made up of specialists, while 25% comprise government politicians and the remaining are from the opposition.
“I don't intend to question the capabilities of parliamentarians in providing ideas, but this has been done before and did not prove fruitful.
“That is why the matter should be given fully to the professionals to propose the best possible solutions to the current crisis.”
Mukhriz said Dr Mahathir was willing to resign as Pejuang chairman should he be appointed to lead the council.
“Before the current government was formed, Bera MP (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) had promised that Langkawi MP (Dr Mahathir) would be chairman but the promise was not fulfilled.
“We view this as a serious matter in addressing the current crisis.” – The Vibes, September 15, 2021
