IPOH: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed appointing his eldest daughter, Nurul Izzah, as his senior adviser on economic and finance matters after offering her the opportunity to assist him at the Prime Minister's Office and Finance Ministry, but stated that she would not be paid an allowance.
"I'm not paying her any allowance at both offices," he told a press conference after opening the Tambun Parliamentary Constituency service centre in Meru, here, today.
Anwar was commenting on Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu's cynical tweet congratulating Nurul Izzah over her new position.
In his tweet, Faizal said: "PM's eldest daughter, Nurul Izzah was appointed Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister on economics and finance. Apparently, according to her, Papa who is also finance minister appointed her effective Jan 3, 2023. Congratulations!"
Anwar said it was Faizal's right to ask about the appointment, but he also wanted to ask the Bersatu leader very important questions about issues involving land theft, logging activities, shares and commissions.
"He is destroying the country, yet I have never seen their statement on efforts to cleanse the country from these activities. Everyone talks about corruption, but when talking about this case, they ask why we need to dig up old stories."
When asked about Nurul Izzah holding such a position without having the right qualifications, Anwar said he himself did not possess any financial qualifications, but had previously held the portfolio for eight years.
"Perikatan Nasional, Bersatu and Pas ministers also lack suitable qualifications. When we raise the issue, we must be consistent. So, must the health minister be a doctor, or water minister be an engineer? It never happens like that.
"But for Izzah, her first degree was engineering, while her second degree was Public Policy (politics, economy and social) from one of the United States' top universities, which is Johns Hopkins University," he said.
Nurul Izzah, who is PKR vice-president and former Permatang Pauh member of parliament, had revealed her appointment to an English daily today and said it took effect on Jan 3.