Sabah may also have council of elders

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KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal is also considering setting up a council of elders to advise him on governing the state.

He said yesterday that the council could consist of former government servants and noteworthy businessmen who will be able to contribute to the state.

“Yes we are looking into it. They would be former civil servants, corporate leaders with international exposure and businessmen who are familiar with the region,” he said after the swearing in of the state cabinet at the Istana Negeri yesterday.

Shafie said their role would be important to boost the state’s economy.

He also said that personalities with connections can help in aggressively attracting investors.

“Political stability is important but we need people who can help advise on the economy. We have made employment promises to the youth so we have to prioritise.

“We need to make sure people have money,” he said.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had appointed five Malaysians on the Council of the Eminent Persons to advise Putrajaya during the period of transition of power, and will also be lending their experience and expertise on economic and financial matters.

They are Tun Daim Zainuddin, Tan Sri Zeti Aziz, Tan Sri Hassan Merican, Robert Kuok and Professor Jomo Kwame Sundaram.