COVID-19: EAC strives its best to address problems faced by the people

Its executive director Prof Tan Sri Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali said discussions, meetings and engagements were held with the representatives from all sectors, and related issues were brought to the attention of the Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and other leaders.

Noor Azlan, who is directly involved with the country's leadership in tackling the economic crisis, said the duties were implemented continuously since the council was established on March 11, 2020.

"EAC secretariat together with the ministries, agencies as well as sector/industry representatives would lead the discussions in providing the paper to be presented to the Council.

"The Secretary-General, Director-General, Deputy Secretary-General, Deputy Director-General and the relevant officers are all directly involved. The entire government machinery is on board," he said in a statement.

Since its establishment, the EAC has held meetings almost every week and chaired by Muhyiddin himself, he added.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed attended the EAC meetings to ensure problems faced by the sectors under every ministry are addressed as best as possible while their implementation outcome is monitored closely.

Noor Azlan said every week, he and the Economic Stimulus Implementation and Coordination Unit Between National Agencies (LAKSANA) in the Ministry of Finance would report the status and related issues to the EAC meeting.

Meanwhile, he said, the current crisis has not been experienced by all of us post-World War II.

"This challenge is 'extraordinary', different from the 86/87, 97/98, and 2008/09 economic crises, specifically as it stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic that threatens lives.

"The best balance between health and economy is attempted to be achieved in the best way possible, but it is not easily done," he added.