PUTRAJAYA, Feb 15 — Nurul Izzah Anwar would “add value” to the special advisory panel to the finance minister, her father Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said today amid fresh allegations of nepotism levelled at the new government.
Anwar, who is also the prime minister, was again accused of nepotism after Nurul Izzah was invited to join the secretariat of the advisory panel, after giving up her previous role as a senior adviser to him on economics and finance.
When asked if her spot on the advisory panel would still constitute nepotism, Rafizi said Nurul Izzah could help the secretariat “precipitate” with decisions.
“I think there is added value (to Nurul Izzah sitting in the panel),” the minister said at a press conference here.
“I was made to understand that the secretariat consists of other economic experts. I am more inclined (to say) that with such a team (that includes Nurul Izzah), they can do their job better,” he told reporters here.
“I think with the input from these various figures, we hope matters relating to policies that take views and input from these various parties can be precipitated... so there is added value (to Nurul Izzah’s involvement),” the minister added.
Allegations of nepotism arose after Nurul Izzah disclosed that she had been appointed as a senior advisor of economics and finance to her father.
Anwar tried to fend off the allegations by insisting his daughter was qualified, would not be paid for the role, and would not abuse the position.
Last week, Anwar announced the special advisory panel including former Petronas chief executive Tan Sri Hassan Marican, FPO Ventures chairman Datuk Ahmad Fuad Md Ali, Sunway University economics studies director Profesor Dr Yeah Kim Leng, Universiti Malaya distinguished professor of economic Datuk Rajah Rasiah, and Sarawak Energy chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi.
