PETALING JAYA: A National Recovery Council chaired by the Prime Minister will be set up to ensure the recovery plan to steer the country out of the Covid-19 crisis will proceed smoothly, says Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz (pic).

       The Finance Minister said the council would replace the Special Cabinet Committee on the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

       “The council is to ensure the implementation of the NRP will run smoothly and it will also strengthen strategies to control the pandemic holistically,” he said in a statement.

       Tengku Zafrul said it was decided during the committee’s second meeting which took place yesterday.

       The NRP coordinating minister said it was also decided that the NRP would be presented to Parliament on July 26 when it reconvenes.

       “Taking a whole-of-nation approach, the council will appoint representatives from the private sector, industry experts and NGOs to share their experience and advice on various aspects of the NRP.

       “This is to enable Malaysia to exit from the pandemic in a systematic and safe way,” he said.

       Tengku Zafrul said the meeting also decided on the following action plans:

       (i) Improving SOP based on feedback from others, including subject matter experts, in line with the effort to strengthen the clarity of SOP and level of compliance;

       (ii) Introducing eased restrictions for those who have gotten two doses of vaccines; and

       (iii) Considering eased restrictions for companies that have fully vaccinated their workers by allowing them to operate fully.

       Tengku Zafrul added that the council would also make considerations and recommendations on the next steps for improvement, as well as ensure the transition from one phase to the next would be achieved as soon as possible.