Economic Action Council - Mahathir snubs Anwar Ibrahim

FMT - Azmin says new council ‘credible’, Anwar’s absence no issue (extracts):

hmmm, who shall I stab in the back next?
wakakaka 

Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali today brushed aside a question on why his party boss Anwar Ibrahim was not named as part of the Economic Action Council (EAC), saying the appointments were the prerogative of Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“This is the decision of the prime minister,” Azmin, who is also the PKR deputy president, told reporters at a Chinese New Year gathering today.

Azmin, who is also part of the 16-member council, said he felt the current composition was adequate.

“It is a small council to gather input from the stakeholders. Let them hold their first meeting, set the parameters, and we will take it from there.”

Azmin said there are 16 members but I counted only 15, as follows:

(1) Mahathir Mohamad - PM & Chairman

(2) Azmin Ali - Economic Affairs Minister
(3) Lim Guan Eng - Finance Minister
(4) Ignatius Darell Leiking - Int'l Trade & Industry
(5) Muhammed Abdul Khalid - PM’s economic adviser
(6) Rafidah Aziz - former min Int'l Trade & Industry
(7) Zeti Akhtar Aziz - Permodalan Nas'l Bhd chairman
(8) Jomo Kwame Sundaram - CEP member
(9) Tay Ah Lek - Public Bank Bhd managing director
(10) Hasnita Hashim - MARA chairman
(11) Shireen Ann Zaharah Muhiudee - Bursa Malaysia chairman
(12) Mohd Munir Abdul Majid - Asean Business Advisory council chairman
(13) Dr Paul Selvaraj - FOMCA CEO
(14) Bah Tony @ Amani William Hunt Abdullah- lawyer
(15) Nizam Mahshar - MASA institute board of trustees member

Perhaps the 16th is reserved for Daim Zainuddin.

But to omit Anwar Ibrahim is terrible considering Anwar was a former Finance Minister who looked after what Azmin Ali and Lim GE together look after now.

If Rafidah Aziz could be selected on the basis of her role as a former minister of Trade & Industry, doesn't the omission of Anwar Ibrahim as a former Finance Minister becomes too glaringly obvious?

Wikipedia has this extract to say about Anwar Ibrahim's performance as Malaysia's former Finance Minister (then under PM Mahathir):

In 1991, Anwar was appointed Minister of Finance. During his tenure as Finance Minister his impact was immediate; Malaysia enjoyed unprecedented prosperity and economic growth.

Shortly after becoming Finance Minister, Euromoney named him as a top four finance minister and in 1996 Asiamoney named him Finance Minister of the Year.

In the midst of Asian Financial Crises of 1997, Anwar was hailed for guiding Malaysia through the period of instability. He backed free market principles and highlighted the issue of the proximity of business and politics in Malaysia. He advocated greater accountability, refused to offer government bail-outs and instituted widespread spending cuts.

As a deputy prime minister and finance minister, in March 1998, Anwar Ibrahim was selected as the Chairman of the Development Committee of World Bank and International Monetary Fund from March 1998 until September 1998.

And in 1998 Newsweek magazine named Anwar the "Asian of the Year".

Anwar Ibrahim as Finance Minister had far more global experience and track record than any other Malaysian Finance Minister, even Tun Tan Siew Sin.

Yet Mahathir snubbed him. And the cruelest cut of all was by Azmin Ali who has the temerity to say that Anwar's absence from the EAC is not an issue.

For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel.

Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar lov'd him!
This was the most unkindest cut of all;
For when the noble Caesar saw him stab,
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms,
Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his mighty
heart. . . .

Julius Caesar Act 3, scene 2, 181–186