Council of Eminent Persons chairperson Daim Zainuddin today advised cabinet ministers against quarrelling among themselves openly, as this could make the people feel disgusted with the government.

Daim said that although it was understood that all ministers are new, the quarrelling cannot go on, and suggested that they exhibit a spirit of solidarity.

“They (ministers) are certainly new. They have been in the opposition for 50 years, but even when they won (the 14th general election) together, they are still quarrelling among themselves.

“I have reminded them many times, if they want to quarrel they may do so for six months. 

"If they still insist on quarrelling after that, the people may soon feel disgusted,” he said at the 'Luncheon Talk: Future Bumiputera Economic Atmosphere' forum at Universiti Teknologi Mara Shah Alam today.

As such, he said, it would be better if ministers worked as a team with civil servants and the various agencies under their respective ministries because they were capable and had good qualifications.

“There are ministers who do their work without seeking any opinion. When this happens, the civil servants take their hands off. 

"This is among the reasons why many things are not implemented properly,” he said.

- Bernama