Appointment of Anwar’s daughter as senior economic and finance adviser sparks controversy in Malaysia

The Malaysia Madani, or Civil Malaysia, slogan conceptualised by the Anwar administration emphasises six core values – sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust and compassion – that are meant to guide government policies.

Besides Mr Hamzah, former prime minister and PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin also condemned Ms Nurul Izzah’s appointment. 

“It has never happened in the history of Malaysia that a prime minister appoints their child as an adviser,” he said in a statement on Monday, calling on Mr Anwar to get his daughter to resign from her post. 

“Advise Nurul Izzah to resign as prime minister’s adviser … Don’t let this little misplaced appointment be a black spot on her political journey to a possibly brighter future.”

Mr Muhyiddin also called on Mr Anwar to step down as finance minister and to focus on his duties as the prime minister. 

“It’s not too late for Anwar to make things right. Resign as finance minister. Focus more on your duty as prime minister as the people and the country are facing difficult times,” he said. 

Separately, a former member of a pro-Anwar Ibrahim group has also reportedly criticised Ms Nurul Izzah’s appointment.

According to the Free Malaysia Today (FMT), Mr Abdul Razak Ismail – a former member of the “Otai Reformis” group – said that the prime minister will now have to deal with the perceptions surrounding his daughter’s appointment. 

“The perception is simple, out of 32 million people, is there really no one else who can be the prime minister’s adviser?” he was quoted as saying by FMT.

“We have economic affairs minister Rafizi Ramli, is it not enough?”

Mr Abdul pointed out that Pakatan Harapan (PH), the coalition led by Mr Anwar, would have reacted poorly if former prime minister Najib Razak had appointed his wife, Rosmah Mansor, as an adviser. 

According to FMT, Mr Abdul said that a better move would be for Ms Nurul Izzah to join a non-governmental organisation.