The appointment of the son of Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Aziz as a special officer has nothing to do with the public service.

Chief secretary to the government Dr Ali Hamsa said the appointment was not made via the administrative structure of the Tourism and Culture Ministry.

“Rather, it is a separate arrangement and we do not approve such an  appointment as the post is within the political structure,” he told reporters after the Aidilfitri celebration of ministries and departments in Putrajaya today.

Ali Hamsa said this when asked to comment on the issue of Mohamed Nazri who allegedly appointed his son Muhammad Nedim as a special officer in the ministry.

Mohamed Nazri had explained that Muhammad Nedim’s job is to serve young people in his Padang Rengas constituency in Perak.

The minister said the appointment is unofficial and that Muhammad Nedim is not paid by the government.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had said cabinet ministers or Members of Parliament (MPs) can use their family members as special officers in their respective constituencies.

- Bernama