Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin has been reminded that BN and Umno no longer rule the federal government and the current administration is not under the thumb of the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP).

PKR Youth deputy chief Dr Afif Bahardin said the CEP, led by former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, was formed to help the current government's transition from the previous 60-year-old regime of the BN.

"This is no longer a BN or Umno-led government. Gone are the days of kowtowing, worshipping or kissing hands of leaders," Afif, who is also Penang executive councillor, told Khairy.

"The new government needs experienced people and, to some degree, consultation with officials who are already familiar with the system and who already know how the government was run in the past," Afif told Malaysiakini.

"Everyone knows the function that the council plays; that they are not elected and they are not the decision-making body," he added.

Afif said he does not see the CEP as controlling the government, as Khairy put it, saying that the council's role is merely advisory.

Khairy raised concerns about the influence of the CEP. He described it as an "unelected and unaccountable" body.

"It is a collective decision. This is not Umno but Pakatan Harapan, where we have people who will discuss and argue on matters, they are not just yes-men," Afif quipped.

On July 24, Khairy pointed out that Daim had summoned top judges and instructed them to resign, saying: "This is not advice, it was an instruction to resign immediately and this is on record".

He also raised the appointment of Zeti Akhtar Aziz, another member of the CEP, to helm two key government-linked companies, Perbadanan Nasional Bhd (PNB) and Sime Darby Properties.

In reply, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of law Liew Vui Keong said the CEP's decisions are not binding.

"The government can consider and listen to their views but it will be the one making the decisions," Liew said.

Afif said it is not right for Khairy to say that the council is taking over the role of the government.

"People know they have voted in Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Harapan into the government and there is now a process of transition.

"Daim has said the CEP will work for only 100 days after Harapan won the general election on May 9."

Asked if the CEP should continue after 100 days, Afif said the CEP should now come out with a summary on what they have advised the government on and what they have presented to the cabinet.

"From there on, we will decide but by 100 days, the cabinet should be matured enough," Afif said.

"With the council, it also shows that the current government is willing to listen and get input from everyone before they make their decisions," he added.

"This is not BN or Umno. Khairy should have advised former PM Najib Razak on the 1MDB issue.

"Here, the CEP is not as Khairy says. It advises while the government decides, and this cabinet is much more superior in terms of knowledge, understanding and principles they uphold," Afif stressed.