Think tank: Nurul Izzah not qualified to be PM's adviser

A think tank has expressed concern over Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's decision to appoint his eldest child Nurul Izzah as his adviser on economics and finance.

In a statement today, the Center for Market Education (CME) said although expert qualifications are not required for political roles such as cabinet ministers, it was necessary for advisers and counsellors.

"Nurul Izzah studied engineering and international relations. She does not possess any specific background in economics or finance," said the CME.

Nurul Izzah has been a career politician and has been a three-term MP. In 2008, at the age of 28, she was elected as the MP for Lembah Pantai. During the last parliamentary election, she failed to retain her Permatang Pauh seat.

CME said that although Nurul Izzah was the prime minister's adviser on a pro bono basis, the cost of having unqualified advisers was bad policies.

"Bad policies, although guided by good intentions, can ruin a nation. We have seen this with price ceilings or the ban on foreign workers," said CME CEO Carmelo Ferlito.

Nepotism

Ferlito said Nurul Izzah's appointment was also at odds with Anwar's attempt to paint himself as a reformer.

"His campaign and communication strategy is linked with the promise of a new and reformist (agenda) which should be addressing corruption and nepotism," said Ferlito.

Similarly, Bachok MP Syahir Sulaiman said Nurul Izzah's appointment was a conflict of interest.

"The basic principle of good governance has been compromised. The promise of institutional reforms has been violated," said Syahir in a statement.

Meanwhile, Syahir mocked Anwar's appointments by comparing the latter with Indonesian president Joko Widodo.

"In Indonesia, Jokowi appointed seven millennials as advisers to the president. He also appointed a (former World Bank officer) as a finance minister.

"In the country of Madani, the prime minister appointed himself as the finance minister, his scion as the adviser on the economy and finance.

"At the same him, the prime minister has two deputy prime ministers, two deputy finance ministers and one economics minister who are all very wise," said Syahir.

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