Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrives at Parliament April 4, 2019. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 — The government will not make the report of the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) public as some of the findings are still being investigated by the relevant authorities, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.

The prime minister also said the findings would remain under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) to avoid possible defamation suits.

“The government must be careful about publishing it as some of the findings require further investigations by the relevant authorities.

“This will also avoid polemic that can interfere with investigations and investor confidence,” he said during Question Time in reply to Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil.

The Pakatan Harapan backbencher then asked if the government would publish a redacted version, but Dr Mahathir remained firm and said making the CEP report public was not suitable currently.

“Now is not the time to reveal the findings. Maybe in the future once we have taken action and we will not be hit by a defamation suit, maybe we will reveal it,” said the prime minister.

He also told the Dewan Rakyat that the CEP completed its duties last August 19.

After its final report was tabled, Dr Mahathir said he ordered the CEP's recommendations to be implemented and handed them to the Governance, Integrity and Anti Corruption Center and the Implementation Coordination Unit for further action.