Nurul Izzah’s appointment 'sounds like nepotism', says think tank
SHAH ALAM - A think tank says the appointment of Nurul Izzah Anwar as a senior advisor to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on economics not only "sounds like nepotism", but it is also a source of concern for the future of Malaysia's economy.
The Center for Market Education (CME) chief executive officer Dr Caemelo Ferlito said the political movement and support around the figure of Anwar has historically been associated with words such as "reformasi" and bersih (clean).
“It means that his campaign and communication strategy is linked with the promise of a new and reformist wind, which claims to be at odds with corruption and nepotism,” he said.
CME believed any economic advisors must have a background in economics or finance but Nurul Izzah studied engineering and international relations.
“Nurul Izzah has clarified that she will get no salary for the job.
“But here there is a big misunderstanding: the actual cost of politics paid by the rakyat is not the cost of salaries but the consequences of bad policies,” he said in a statement.
CME also said that many observers pointed out that by choosing Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz to lead the international trade and industry ministry, they were continuing the previous Cabinets' policies and going against electoral signals, while sacrificing the appointment of competent individuals with broad public support, such as Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
“It seems to us that little attention is currently devoted to the implementation of a sound economic policy agenda,” Ferlito added.
It was reported on Sunday that Nurul Izzah has been appointed as a Senior Economic and Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Through her interview with The Star, the former Permatang Pauh MP said that her appointment had effectively started on Jan 3.
Nurul Izzah, also hoped that her experience as an MP who focused on issues such as poverty, education and vocational training (TVET) and also her experience in serving the National Accounts Committee will benefit her in her new role.
