“You can’t stop rumours,” he said, comparing these to the speculation that had circulated about the introduction of inheritance tax and capital gains tax before Budget 2019.

“At the end of the day, these will be shown for what they are: mere rumours,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama in an interview on the BFM 89.9 Breakfast Grille radio programme this morning.

He also spoke on the role of Daim, a former finance minister who had chaired the Council of Eminent Persons, in advising the government.

“He was appointed by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The prime minister has repeatedly stressed that he gets advice from all sources. Of course, Daim for him is one of his principal sources.

“But decisions are made by the Cabinet and the prime minister,” Lim said. “Advice is given but not necessarily taken.”

He also urged the people to respect the roles and contributions of such people, including Daim, who gave “pro bono” advice.

For GLCs, meanwhile, he said they must practise corporate governance and improve on their performance.

“That is why the government has come out with directives. We have proper corporate governance, not just public governance for the government, but corporate governance that we must practise,” he added.

He said this could be clearly seen when the government stopped politicians from being appointed to GLC boards.

“All the directors are not from political parties. They are all from the private sector and that is a very important step to direct the focus from politics back to business and performance.”