PETALING JAYA: The Prime Minister's move to convene the Economic Action Council could be due to realisation that his current administration's machinery, especially the Cabinet, is unable to handle issues related to economy, finance and welfare of the people.
Datuk Kadir A. Jasin (pic), on his personal blog, wrote that there are "implicit and explicit" (tersurat and tersirat) reasons behind Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's formation of the council.
"The explicit (tersurat) reason is Dr Mahathir needs a special body to scrutinise and decide on matters related to pertinent and urgent issues about the economy, finance and the welfare of the people.
"The implicit (tersirat) reason is the Prime Minister is directly (secara langsung) admit that the current machinery, especially the Cabinet, is not enough to handle the issues mentioned.
"We don't need to pretend merely to protect the feelings of anyone or any parties.
"The reality is that after eight months governing the country, the Pakatan Harapan administration has not produced any tangible results for the public," he wrote on his blog on Tuesday (Feb 12).
Kadir said that the country's financial and economical situation is already challenged due to the damaged legacies left by the previous Barisan Nasional government.
Adding to that is the international economic slowdown due to the trade war between China and the US.
Kadir said there was no need to beat around the bush as many Malaysians are getting disappointed with the Pakatan government's performance, including Cabinet ministers and civil servants.
"I know many people know that the Prime Minister himself is not too happy or satisfied with the performance of Cabinet ministers.
"It can be said that every time he meets the people and reporters, he is constantly asked on the incompetence of the ministers, ministers who rarely go to the ground, those who often take selfies with their officers, ministers who are hard to meet or those who aren't truthful about their personal matters," he said.
Kadir said he has witnessed with his own eyes how ministers were greeted like a King by their own aides and had tight security control when they went to the ground, making it difficult for the people to approach them.
"If you only want to be greeted or to eat with your own officials from your own headquarters, don't bother going to the rural areas or Felda schemes.
"When you go out of town or to Felda, Felcra or fishing villages, sit and talk with the villagers, settlers, fishermen, small businessmen and farmers.
"Reduce taking selfies with your own staff and uploading it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram," he said.
Kadir also advised that people should be mindful that the social media that helped Pakatan win will also be the reason for its downfall if the administration does not buck up.
"It is irresponsible and foolish (dangkal) to expect the Prime Minister to clean up the mess made by ministers, chief ministers, mentris besar and deputy ministers.
"Go back to your constituencies or states often and don't be accused of being lazy," said Kadir.
On Monday, Dr Mahathir announced the formation of the council comprising himself, ministers and business leaders.
The council will examine and decide on the economic and financial affairs and welfare of the people.
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