PM gave me wide powers with NRC chairman role, says Muhyiddin

PETALING JAYA: The role of National Recovery Council (NRC) chairman comes with a wide scope of power, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pic), adding that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob told him to "do as he used to before".

The former prime minister and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president said he met Ismail Sabri last week to seek clarification on his field of authority as NRC chairman.

Muhyiddin said there was now a difference in his role as NRC chairman compared to when he chaired it as prime minister.

"There is a difference in the perspective of power, authority and so on. But the good thing is that the Prime Minister told me "buat macam dulu" (do as you used to).

"This means that if there are any decisions made by the NRC, then these have to be implemented immediately, especially if it has to do with policies.

"However, if it has to do with finances, such as for example if we want to take out RM10bil or RM100bil, then this has to be taken to the government and the Cabinet.

"Other than that, the scope given to me is very good and I can make fast decisions," he said in an interview with Astro Awani on Tuesday (Sept 21).

Muhyiddin said it was important for NRC decisions to be executed as fast as possible, citing the example of Langkawi reopening to fully-vaccinated travellers, which was decided just a month ago.

"The authority given by the Prime Minister for me to make decisions is close to what used to happen previously," he said.

Muhyiddin added that this was important because otherwise, the recovery process would take a long time and that the NRC needs wide authority to decide.