By November, Malaysians will no longer be suffering as the government needs another 6 months to set things right, says Daim.
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government needs another six months to repair the damage left by the previous government and bring the country back on track after taking over the administration in May last year.
“We need time to make it all happen.
“The government needs time to look into all the reports, which the council submitted.
“There are items which can proceed speedily, and there are issues that need time and there are matters that touch on the security of the nation,” Council of Eminent Persons chairman Tun Daim Zainuddin said.
He also said the government was looking at reports on housing and toll abolition.
“The Rantau by-election showed the people’s concerns about the economy,” he said.
He added that PH’s defeat yesterday was part of the challenges that need to be tackled as the people were losing their patience.
“You must remember that the Council of Eminent Persons was set up immediately after the general election and before the formation of the Cabinet.
“We needed to know the country’s financial position and now that we know, we have submitted 17 reports. Some are serious secrets, which may not be revealed.
“So, now you know it is not easy to govern.
“They don’t know the headache that comes with becoming a prime minister.
“But, everyone involved in politics will ultimately want to become the prime minister.
“Similarly, those involved in business dislike bureaucratic red tape.
“And, I strongly believe that the private sector is the engine of growth.
“We must always encourage them because it not only benefits them (profits) but also the people (tax).
“The government must create the environment. We get 28 per cent from tax.
“This is the revenue that we can use to provide more infrastructure,” he added.
“I think the government needs another six months to fix the situation, not only in terms of economic development but also in other issues. The people need to understand this,” he told reporters yesterday.
Daim said the government was fully aware of the people’s demand for change, but it still had to take into consideration all aspects of every issue, including the country’s economic and financial situation.
“The government has a lot of problems to think about…including national security, foreign relations and defence…if anything goes wrong someday, the people will blame the government. Yes, we can reduce the price of goods, we have conducted a study on how to do it… InsyaAllah, the price will be reduced soon. I think a lot of things will be more stable in another six months,” he said.
Daim also described PH defeat in Rantau as a manifestation of the people’s anger over the rising price of goods, for reasons unknown to them.
Asked whether the people’s perception on the government’s performance would improve, he said that would happen as soon as the government are able to solve their problems, such as the rising cost of living and fulfil all their manifesto promises.
“It’s not hard to explain to the people. If it cannot be done, just say that it cannot be done. Tell the people why it cannot be done…there must be a reason for that. It’s not like something can be done but the government decides not to. That is why it must be explained to the people,” he added.