Khairy takes a swipe at Nazri's critics

Those criticising Culture and Tourism Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz for appointing his son as his special officer should look at themselves first, said Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

Khairy said this is because those who criticise Nazri are unlikely to match the latter’s prowess, especially in Parliament.

"Those challenging Nazri should try doing what he did in Parliament. Single-handedly take on the opposition. You think you can do that?" he asked on Twitter .

The Umno Youth chief said Nazri's critics should also " ukur baju dekat badan ( sendiri )" - a Malay proverb which means that one should know one's own abilities.

Khairy's comments came after pro-establishment groups expressed unhappiness over Nazri's decision to appoint his son Muhammad Nedim as a special officer.

Nedim was initially listed on the ministry's website as "special officer" but this was later amended to "special officer to the Padang Rengas MP (GenY issues)".

Among Nazri's critics is NGO Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) and bloggers affiliated with Umno Youth's Unit Media Baru, who described the appointment as "nepotism" and "tarnishes Umno's image".

In response, Nazri, who is Padang Rengas MP, said his son is merely assisting him on youth issues in his constituency and is not on the ministry's payroll.

"It's my ministry, I can put anybody's name there. I am still elected and I am still the minister... I don't care what you people think... He is my son and I am happy that I made him my special officer," he told reporters.

In jest, Nazri said: "He doesn't need to be paid... his father is rich!"

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak stood by Nazri , saying that it is fine for family members to work as aides, as long as they are not paid by the government.

Nazri also found unlikely support from Pakatan Rakyat leaders, including Selangor DAP chief Teresa Kok.

She said that while she had not hired any relatives, at times it is difficult to find people who are loyal and trustworthy, leaving politicians no choice but to appoint their family members.