KUALA LUMPUR – Putrajaya should shut down its National Recovery Council (NRC) after yesterday’s setting up of a special inflation task force as the council is just a platform to bolster one individual’s image, said Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
In criticising the NRC that is headed by political rival Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Zahid said it has failed in its mandate and was only created for the former prime minister to improve his image and not necessarily prioritising the interests of the people and nation.
“I’d like to suggest to Tan Sri Muhyiddin to use other platforms, such as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Perdana Leadership Foundation, to share ideas and proposals. That is better.
“It is time for the government to dissolve the NRC, so ministers and their personnel no longer have to attend ineffective meetings with the council.
“The council is unnecessary and contradicts government efforts to address issues faced by the people.”
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that a special inflation task force would be headed by Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa, while Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz will be assigned as a committee member.
The task force, which will be parked under the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, dubbed “Pasukan Khas Jihad Tangani Inflasi” (Battling Inflation Task Force) aims to formulate strategies to resolve inflation-related issues by gathering information from relevant ministries and agencies.
Other members are Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
The government also announced that effective July 1, the new ceiling price for standard chicken would be raised from the current RM8.90/kg to RM9.40/kg for Peninsular Malaysia.
The cabinet also decided to set new ceiling prices for chicken eggs in Peninsular Malaysia – an increase of 2 sen for three categories – at 45 sen each for grade A, 43 sen for grade B and 41 sen for grade C.
Recently, Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin called on his fellow Umno Supreme Council members to remove Tengku Zafrul from his ministerial post over issues surrounding Digital Nasional Bhd. – The Vibes, June 30, 2022
