KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim needs to resign as the Finance Minister in addition to advising his daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar to follow suit.
Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Anwar needs to advise Nurul Izzah to resign as senior adviser for economy and finance, whose appointment was announced yesterday.
He adds the former Permatang Pauh Member of Parliament's future in politics should not be tainted by inappropriate appointments.
"I believe she is a talented young woman leader with great potential. Don't let this small appointment be a black spot in her political journey towards a brighter future.
"... is not too late for Anwar to improve the situation ... resign as the Finance Minister and focus on his duties as Prime Minister, especially when the people and the country are facing difficult times.
"The 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal broke out when the Prime Minister at the time, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, was also the Finance Minister ... Anwar should not repeat the same mistake," he said in a statement posted on Facebook.
Nurul Izzah, who is also the PKR Vice President was appointed as a senior advisor for economy and finance to the Prime Minister, effective Jan 3.
Anwar clarified that the appointment of Nurul Izzah will not see her receiving any allowance.
The Prime Minister further said that he himself had invited his daughter to help him as an adviser in the Prime Minister's Department and Finance Ministry.
Nurul Izzah's appointment saw debate being sparked among netizens in addition to criticism from many other parties.
Muhyiddin who is also the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia said Anwar's move was seen as betraying the spirit of the 'Reformasi' struggle which was backed by his own supporters by making such an appointment.
"Never before in Malaysian history has a Prime Minister appointed his child as an adviser.
"This appointment makes the 'Reformasi' slogan that Anwar has been chanting for over 20 years ago as amounting to a mere empty talk," he said.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin called on Anwar to instruct the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to take leave until his court case is concluded.
He said that the Unity Government led by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Chairman did not kick off with the right steps since its inception. This is because the promise of good governance was betrayed when Anwar appointed Zahid who is facing criminal charges in court as the Deputy Prime Minister.
Muhyiddin adds that such a move was done by Anwar, simply because he wanted to repay the favour to Zahid who managed to bring Barisan Nasional (BN) members of Parliament to back the PKR President as Prime Minister.
"It would be a shame for Malaysians if he went abroad to meet world leaders on an official assignment as Deputy Prime Minister while his case is still being heard in court. What would be the headlines in the countries he visits?
"As the leader of the opposition party, I can only take advantage of the mistakes made by Anwar and his government.
"But as an ordinary citizen, I am not willing to see the dignity of the country tarnished because of the Prime Minister's arrogance," Muhyiddin said.