Anwar's advisory body invites Nurul Izzah to co-chair secretariat

The Advisory Committee to Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim has invited his daughter, Nurul Izzah, to co-head the secretariat formed to support its operations.

Committee chairperson Mohd Hassan Marican, in a statement, said he extended the invitation to Nurul Izzah (above), now serving as Anwar's senior economics and finance adviser, along with Petronas senior manager Khairil Anuar Ramli.

"The advisory committee reports directly to the finance minister and shall meet as frequently as possible depending on the requirement.

"A secretariat to support the operations of the advisory committee has been formed and is located at the Petronas Twin Towers," Hassan said.

Previously, Anwar has been heavily criticised for Nurul Izzah's appointment, but the prime minister insisted she has a role to play and will receive no financial remuneration from the adviser post.

READ MORE: Nurul Izzah no longer PM's senior adviser, accepts new role

Hassan said the committee at its first meeting held on Friday has established its primary roles, among others, to advise the finance minister on ways and means to increase the nation's revenue base and reduce operating expenditure.

Its other focus areas include matters related to subsidies, matters related to GLCs and issues related to the national debt and good governance.

The meeting was attended by the other members of the advisory committee - namely Sarawak Energy Bhd chairperson Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi, FPSO Ventures Sdn Bhd executive chairperson Ahmad Fuad Md Ali, an economics professor from Universiti Malaya’s Asia Europe Institute Rajah Rasiah and Sunway University Business School’s Yeah Kim Leng.

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