'I'm an active alumnus': Zahid's daughter defends UPM appointment

Summary

• Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid defends her appointment to Universiti Putra Malaysia’s board of directors, saying she is an active alumnus.

• The new UPM board member says she will use her role to help underprivileged children study at the university.

The daughter of Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Nurulhidayah, has defended her appointment to Universiti Putra Malaysia’s board of directors.

As an active alumnus, she stressed that she is qualified for the role.

“I’m an active alumnus. It’s like a homecoming to me. After 24 years, I’m returning to UPM to serve.

“There is no need for baseless accusations against me or to question my qualifications and position just because I’m the daughter of a deputy prime minister.

“I’m an ordinary person like any other working person and wish to help in my limited capacity as a UPM alumnus,” she told Malaysiakini today.

Nurulhidayah was commenting on her new job, which takes effect from Jan 2 this year until Jan 1, 2028.

An appointment letter allegedly signed by Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir stated that the appointment represents a “knowledgeable and experienced composition” in accordance with Subsection 18(1) of the UPM constitution.

Nurulhidayah expressed joy over her new role as she will able to help those in need gain an education.

“I’m happy because I can help more underprivileged children… in line with UPM’s slogan: ‘Knowledge and Service’.

“And I will use the alumni ‘ticket’ to encourage former UPM students to help UPM, donate energy or funds to cover the costs of qualified underprivileged children to study at UPM.”

Criticism of the appointment

Nurulhidayah’s appointment has sparked criticism online, notably from graphic artist and activist Fahmi Reza, who mocked the move with a satirical “resume”.

The mock resume, shared on Fahmi’s social media accounts, features Nurulhidayah’s name, photo, and the title “Anak Zahid Hamidi” (Zahid’s child) prominently.

Under the “About Me” section, her primary credentials were listed as Zahid’s daughter.

Gerakan president Dominic Lau also criticised the government over Nurulhidayah’s appointment.

“The action of appointing ‘one’s own people’ to important positions and then providing another narrative to defend oneself is like ‘changing the rules of the game’ to play with the rules one has set themselves.

“If BN can be said to have turned political appointments into a career, Pakatan Harapan too uplifts its own ‘golden children’,” he said.

Zahid daughter's UPM appointment proves Harapan's hypocrisy - Gerakan

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