As a government that preaches transparency and zero-tolerance for corruption, it came as a shocker when the public was made aware that prime minister Anwar Ibrahim’s daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar was appointed as one of his senior advisers.
Nurul recently revealed to a local news daily that she had been serving the role as adviser on economics and finance since Jan. 3.
She was previously a two-term MP, Lembah Pantai (2008-2018) and Permatang Pauh (2018-2022).
The news caused outrage among social media users who described the appointment as nepotism, a practice among those with power or influence of favouring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs.
In Anwar’s defence of her daughter not having any sort of qualification relating to finance and economics, he said he too was a Finance Minister for eight years without holding a finance degree. Nurul only has a second degree in public policy from John Hopkins University.
Although it was made clear by her father that Nurul is not on any sort of payroll, the public said the practice would only enable such appointments in the future.
Re: Nurul Izzah’s appointment as special adviser to her father, PM Anwar Ibrahim, on economics and finance.
Whether it’s pro bono or not, it’s nepotism. The namecard opens doors.
Secondly, why are we finding out about the appointment, made on Jan 3, today?
— emmanuelsamarathisa (@esshimself) January 29, 2023
The question here, out of so many people why ‘my daughter’ is ascending above other better qualified individuals. Isn’t this nepotism? Anwar is serving silver bullet to his long list enemies
— Name can be blank (@emerhafiz) January 30, 2023
the hiring of Nurul Izzah is blatant corruption, nepotism and favouritism, whether pro PH supporters like it or not. Such a disappointing move by Anwar. Fucking ridiculous
— fattah_aman04 (@FAman04) January 29, 2023
FYI, the administration already has a qualified Economics Minister aka Rafizi Ramli.
Anwar’s daughter appointed as Senior Advisor for Finance/Economics whether it’s pro bono bono or not it is still nepotism!
👎
Some PH hardcore supporters still don’t get the meaning of Nepotism & Good Governance!
🤦♂️🤦♀️
BTW, Nurul isn’t a specialist in both Finance/Economics!— jediMASTER (@jedimaster909) January 29, 2023
I thought Anwar Ibrahim can do better, but nepotism really has a strong roots in this country. It not just corrupted the government but also in all sectors.
— hakeem (@clarkyybruh) January 30, 2023
Malaysia is no stranger to nepotism, the country has seen such appointments numerous times. However, some social media users argued that they should see Nurul Izzah’s appointment as more than just her father’s daughter.
There are many words you can use to describe @n_izzah; kind, passionate, firm, leader, brilliant etc, but opportunist is not one of those.
I hope people will see her as Nurul Izzah, not as Anwar’s daughter. You don’t have to agree with me, but I believe she’ll do well. Sekian. pic.twitter.com/7xQVpCLdun
— azrulfitri (@azrulazimi) January 29, 2023
“… better off to be just a housewife then?”
What do you think of her appointment? Let us know in the comments!
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