DAP not keen on NRC being led by 'disgraced' ex-PM

The DAP has expressed scepticism over the efficacy of the National Recovery Council now that it is being led by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

In a statement, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng called Muhyiddin a "disgraced" former prime minister responsible for a major health crisis and economic recession.

"What can Muhyiddin do now to turn things around economically as a former prime minister when he failed to do so whilst exercising full powers of prime minister, despite launching eight economic stimulus packages totalling RM530 billion?" Lim asked.

He said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had shown a lack of commitment towards the National Recovery Plan (NRP) by not chairing the council himself and leaving it to his ineffectual predecessor.

Without the prime minister chairing the NRC, Lim said, the council risked becoming a "window dressing" and "talk shop" with no real powers.

"Ismail Sabri must stop sub-contracting his powers but take charge of the economy by injecting RM45 billion directly to prevent funds from running out.

"There is no time to lose by giving priority to political games of offering posts and positions when the focus should primarily be on fighting Covid-19 to save lives and livelihoods," Lim added.

The NRP was formed and chaired by Muhyiddin in July until his ouster last month.

Muhyiddin's tenure as prime minister was marked by a series of lockdowns that has crippled the economy and failed to control the number of deaths caused by Covid-19.

Ismail Sabri has pledged to invite opposition figures to join the NRC, but no details have been revealed yet.