GEORGE TOWN – There is no nepotism involved in the appointment of Nurul Izzah Anwar as a senior economic adviser of economics and finance to the prime minister, as she is not getting paid for it, said a PKR leader here.
Amir Ghazali, who is Nurul Izzah’s political secretary, said that critics need to understand that taxpayers’ monies are not involved in the appointment.
“So, there is no nepotism in the first place,” Amir told The Vibes.
It is only nepotism or cronyism when a monetary contract is involved and given to someone just because they are royalty or have family ties to leaders, he added.
Secondly, it is within the power of the prime minister, who happens to be the former Permatang Pauh MP’s father, to make such decisions if he deems them to be in the country’s best interest, Amir said.
The appointment should be seen from the perspective of “national interests”.
He added that critics need to give time and space for Anwar to carry out his reform plans.
Amir said he was made to understand that Nurul Izzah’s main role would be to obtain feedback from the public on the government’s budget for 2023.
“She does not have a ministerial role,” he stressed.
“There is a need to have close teamwork between the finance and economy ministries…Nurul Izzah can play a role in fostering and brokering such ties.”
Amir made the same points in a statement posted to the Keadilan Pulau Pinang Facebook page, asking the public to look at Nurul Izzah’s credibility and not her relationship with Anwar.
He also said she would not have the power to approve projects or tenders, and as such there should be no concerns of cronyism or nepotism.
“I advise the opposition to look at themselves before disputing her appointment.
Echoing Amir’s views was Kebun Bunga assemblyman Jason Ong, from PKR, who said that only the corrupt will oppose Nurul Izzah’s appointment.
"We must remember that it is not a Pakatan Harapan government in place now. It is a national unity government consisting of previous foes. Anwar needs someone he can trust to govern the country well,” Ong said.
Ong added that critics of the appointment include those who themselves had been associated with corrupt acts in the past, and are thus fearful of what a “clean government” can do. – The Vibes, January 31, 2023
