MCA worried CEP will have unchecked powers

PETALING JAYA: MCA has raised concerns over the scope and role being played by the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) under the new Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, questioning if it would eventually supersede the power of the Cabinet and Parliament.
MCA Religious Harmony Bureau Chairman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said the constitutionality, legality and authority of the CEP was vague at present and must be explained and defined.
"We are still worried that this institution will be a precedent that will metamorphosis into the Council of Elders proposed by PAS whereby the Majlis Syura has the ultimate say with unlimited and unchecked powers overruling the Cabinet and the Parliament.
"Are we setting a stage for political councils (in whatever name) to assume or hijack powers of the Cabinet or institutions outlined by the constitution?" he said in a statement yesterday.
Ti said while members of the Cabinet would be answerable to the rakyat in the elections, members of the council did not have anyone to answer to.
"Who are the members answerable or accountable to? Since the council is not provided in the constitution, will it wield more power or authority in 'less eminent' personalities in the future?
"Although the intentions of the council is altruistic and the members are eminent, but will the scope of the council be only to assist the newly elected Pakatan government to implement and deliver their 100 days promise?" he questioned.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had, on May 12, announced the decision to form the CEP to oversee the government administration and decision-making process, following PH's victory in the polls.
Its members are made up of former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainudin, former Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz, industry moghul Tan Sri Robert Kuok, former Petronas president Tan Sri Hassan Marican and economist Prof Jomo Kwame Sundram.