'CEP is usurping the power of the government' says Umno Sec-Gen

KUALA LUMPUR (July 24): The Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) have more power than the ministers, said Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa today. 

According to The Malaysian Insight, Annuar said to Dewan Rakyat: “Now, the CEP is usurping the power of the government.”

He also said, referring to CEP chairman Tun Daim Zainuddin: “The person who heads CEP has not a clean record himself.”   

Annuar also questioned Daim’s recent trip to China to discuss infrastructure projects, and the calling up of former Chief Justice Raus Sharif.

In replying to a question from Rembau MP  Khairy Jamaluddin on the visit to China, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk VK Liew said the visit was at the instructions of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"If directed, it is alright to go and visit to get views as well as issues concerning the two countries," he said, reported Bernama.

Kinabatangan MP Bung Mokhtar claimed that cabinet minutes were sent to the CEP to decide upon the action to be taken, reported The Malaysian Insight. 

Annuar also predicted that the current government would not even last 5 years.

Liew has said that the CEP would exist only for 100 days after Pakatan Harapan took power, and that the CEP had no executive powers on the government that was binding. He also said that CEP's proposals took into account views at the grassroots level with 340 individuals from 220 organisations having been invited to present their briefings or views.