Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohamed Hanipa Maidin said the government made the decision on Nov 2 after considering a request submitted by the Council of Eminent Persons in June.

“The government has agreed to reinstate the MPN with a different name. It will also be restructured,” he said.

“A new membership will be chosen based on merit and qualification, and will be free from political interference.”

He added that the council would be placed under the education ministry.

The MPN was among the government agencies axed by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government in its first Cabinet meeting on May 23.

Hanipa alleged that some council members were not independent and were affiliated with the then-Barisan Nasional (BN) government. He claimed they had used the council as a platform for propaganda.

However, he also admitted that it could have been a case of several bad apples spoiling the entire lot.

“We are not denying that there were many professors who were keen to be with BN, and they should not have been members (of the MPN).

“We don’t even encourage this if they support PH. The council is not a political platform for them to carry out their political aspirations.”

He added that the government wanted the reinstated council to function as an independent body.

The MPN was set up to tackle government policies and how the country could benefit from intellectuals.

Its members were divided according to their field of expertise in economic sustainability, education, disciplinary problems among students, bullying and national unity.