Monday July 7, 2008 MYT 5:52:44 PM

Set up NEAC-like panel , Govt urged

KUALA LUMPUR: It is time for the Government to reconstitute the former National Economic Action Council or the Malaysian Business Consultative Council, said Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) Monday.

Its president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said this was essential to acquire fresh ideas from non-governmental organisations and the private sector to find and implement solutions soon to solve our socio economic problems.

“TI-M expresses its strong support to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi’s statement that he wants to give greater priority to overcome the people’s problems.”

Navaratnam claimed the public would rally behind the Government when they saw concrete evidence of firm decisions being taken to fight inflation and to meet the dire needs of people, especially the poor.

“The present protests and public demonstrations taking places are reaction to the public perception of slow progress being achieved in overcoming the national challenges,” said Navaratnam in a press statement.

He said the solution was to introduce a full blown and credible anti-inflation policy and package of concrete measures.

He said greater priority should be given to alleviate the suffering of the poor as the higher income groups were better equipped to encounter the challenges, adding that the government budget could not afford to help all groups at the same time.

“The protection of the integrity of the budget, fiscal, and financial policies is also important for good governance and national accountability.”