Nurul Izzah row: It strikes a nerve in country with history of nepotism

The appointment of Nurul Izzah as a senior adviser on economics and finance has attracted scrutiny from Malaysians on social media.

It has stirred a debate on whether or not it should be considered nepotism, in a country with a long history of politicians abusing their positions to benefit those close to them.

On Twitter, many argued that Nurul Izzah’s appointment is a sign of nepotism, as the finance minister and the prime minister is Anwar Ibrahim, father to the former Permatang Pauh MP.

Nepotism is the practice among those with power or influence of favouring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs.

While Anwar confirmed that Nurul Izzah will not be paid any allowance for the role, social media users argued that there still could be a conflict of interest.

“Nobody (is talking) about salary. Whether paid or pro bono is not the point here. Likewise qualifications. It doesn't matter. The issue here is nepotism.

“A PM appointing his own flesh and blood as an economic and financial adviser is clear-cut nepotism. No two ways about it,” said a Twitter user who goes by the handle @Daddylishes.

This was a common argument among those criticising the appointment, with some saying that it should have been rejected as a matter of principle.

Another Twitter user who goes by the handle @DarthMaulVII echoed a similar sentiment, adding that Anwar had previously preached against nepotism but was now practising it.

He also dismissed whether or not she was qualified for the role as an issue.

Meanwhile, Muda vice-president Zaidel Baharuddin questioned why there was no official announcement by Anwar regarding his daughter’s new role.

“Why is this appointment made public via an interview, what more as a passing remark? Shouldn’t there be an announcement of some sort?

“If it is not a paid position, then why the formalities of an appointment, what is the point? This is so peculiar,” Zaidel said in a tweet.

It’s not just social media users who are concerned by the appointment, with PKR lawmaker Hassan Karim arguing that while the move did not break any laws, it is still “morally wrong”.

However, not everyone is as critical of the appointment - particularly those who appear to lean towards supporting PKR.

One individual going by the nickname Pemikir Malaysia - whose profile states he was shaped by the Reformasi movement - argued that as an adviser, Nurul Izzah would not be making decisions on any government policies.

“An adviser is a person who gives advice. An adviser cannot make decisions or decide on policy.

“No salary, no perks. What is the conflict?” he said.

Not the first in Malaysia

This is not the first that Malaysia has seen the appointment of a family member into government or at least benefited from using government perks.

In May 2022, fashion designer Jovian Mandagie - also the son-in-law of Ismail Sabri Yaakob - was allegedly part of the then-prime minister’s entourage during his official visit to Japan.

The issue drew the interest of netizens and MPs after photographs from official sources indicated that Jovian was with him.

Jovian also came into the spotlight again in August of the same year when he allegedly had access to Ismail Sabri’s press secretary Azmi Tarmizi.

It was reported that Azmi shared an invitation for Jovian’s press conference on his new fashion product, sent to a WhatsApp messaging group meant for reporters to reach the then-prime minister’s minders.

Meanwhile, in 2013, it was also alleged that former tourism and culture minister Mohamed Nazri Aziz had appointed his son, Muhammad Nedim, as a special officer in the ministry.

In response, Nazri claimed that the appointment was not official and that Muhammad Nedim was not paid by the government.

Khairy Jamaluddin’s rise to power was also influenced by his relationship with his father-in-law Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Khairy had served as Abdullah’s aide from 2000 to 2004 when the latter was deputy prime minister and then prime minister.

Even after resigning from the Prime Minister’s Office, the former Rembau MP was viewed as a key figure in Abdullah’s administration, and was among the “fourth floor boys” who were alleged to have influenced public policies.

PKR itself has been accused of being a family party when leadership of the party was handed to Anwar’s wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail while the latter was in prison.

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