IPOH, February 1 – The appointment of former Member of Parliament for Permatang Pauh, Nurul Izzah Anwar as Senior Economic and Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was made based on his qualifications. Anwar said, this is because his son has a first degree in engineering and a second degree in public and social policy from Johns Hopkins University, United States, thus being appointed to assist him in the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF).
However, he said, Nurul Izzah did not receive any allowance for her appointment. I don’t have any approval related to finance but I was the Finance Minister for eight years. The ministers in Perikatan Nasional (PN) don’t have their own approval either, but when it’s our turn, they bring it up. “So, is it true that a Minister of Health must be a doctor? And a Minister of Water must be an engineer? For Nurul Izzah, she has an engineering degree and a degree in public policy.
Indeed, I am asking, invite her to help me as an advisor at JPM and MOF,” he said. The Tambun Member of Parliament said this after inaugurating the Tambun Parliamentary Service Center here which was also attended by the Hulu Kinta State Assembly Member, Mohamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad. Earlier, Nurul Izzah confirmed her appointment as Senior Economic and Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister and began her service effective January 3.
Meanwhile, Anwar in his opening speech said that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was instructed to take action against parties involved in corrupt practices regardless of party and position, including those working in the Prime Minister’s Office. No matter how rich this country is, it is impossible for us to raise the rank and dignity of this country and defend the fate of the people, that’s why I say the first thing is to fix good governance and the rule of law.
