KUALA LUMPUR – The advisory committee to the finance minister has formed a secretariat co-headed by former Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Petronas senior manager Khairil Anuar Ramli to support its operations.
In a statement today, committee chairman and Petronas adviser Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican said the decision comes following the committee’s maiden meeting last Friday.
“A secretariat to support the operations of the advisory committee has been formed and is located at the Petronas Twin Towers.”
“The meeting was attended by the other members of the advisory committee, namely Sarawak Energy Bhd chairman Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi, FPSO Ventures Sdn Bhd executive chairman Datuk Ahmad Fuad Md Ali, Datuk Rajah Rasiah, and Universiti Malaya’s Asia Europe Institute economics professor and Sunway University Business School’s Yeah Kim Leng.”
The advisory committee’s primary role, Hassan said, among others, is to advise the finance minister on ways and means to increase the nation’s revenue base and reduce the operating expenditure.
The committee will also advise the finance minister on matters related to subsidies – including reviewing and restructuring existing subsidies – the provision of more holistic social protection, matters related to government-linked companies, including determining their relevance in the current context and consolidating them where appropriate; and matters related to national debt and good governance.
“The advisory committee reports directly to the finance minister, and shall meet as frequently as possible depending on requirement,” he added.
Last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the appointment of five experts to a special advisory body that will assist his functions as finance minister.
He said that the new body’s members are professionals and experts in the economic field.
They will not receive payment from the government for their work while serving on the body. – The Vibes, February 12, 2023
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