Nurul Izzah joined PM on event organisers' invitation, says Fahmi

Nurul Izzah Anwar was invited by organisers to attend events during Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent overseas trips, the government clarified after questions about her presence were raised by the opposition.

Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said the former Permatang Pauh MP, who is also Anwar’s eldest daughter, was invited to the events after the prime minister’s wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, was unable to attend.

“Nurul Izzah was invited partly because Wan Azizah did not join this delegation.

“She (Nurul Izzah) was invited as the director of the Social and Economic Research Initiative (Seri), and the invitation was forwarded by the organisers,” he said.

When asked to comment on Nurul Izzah’s contribution to the visit, Fahmi replied: “I don’t have that information.”

Earlier this month, Anwar conducted official visits to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Peru, and Brazil from Nov 9 to Nov 19, with Nurul Izzah participating in several events.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal asked whether Nurul Izzah’s participation, representing an NGO during the visit, was funded by the government.

Work-related visit

In a Facebook post on Nov 9, Nurul Izzah stated that she was travelling to Egypt, Peru, and Brazil on behalf of Seri for work-related visits.

According to her, the official delegation included prominent Malaysian entrepreneurs and other small and medium-sized enterprises.

“Representing Seri, I will meet with Third World Network, The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, and Al-Azhar University, alongside participation from Think City.

“We aim to include the efforts of like-minded NGOs to advance the agendas of developing nations, middle powers, and foster economic solidarity among these countries rather than narrow, intense competition,” she said.

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