PETALING JAYA: A think tank has joined the chorus of criticisms against Nurul Izzah Anwar’s appointment as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s senior economics and finance adviser, questioning her credentials to hold such a position.
In a statement, the Center for Market Education (CME) pointed out that Nurul Izzah, a PKR vice-president, may be qualified in the field of engineering and international relations, but it did not matter.
“She does not possess any specific background in economics or finance. While this is not necessary for primary political roles such as ministers or deputy ministers, it should be mandatory for advisers and counsellors,” CME CEO Carmelo Ferlito said.
Yesterday, Nurul Izzah explained that she would not be paid in her role as senior economics and finance adviser to the prime minister, but Ferlito said that was not the issue.
“The actual cost of politics paid by the rakyat is not the cost of salaries, but the consequences of 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,” he said.
Ferlito warned that Malaysia did not have much time left to resolve structural issues in the economy in view of the challenges that lie ahead for the country.
Yesterday, Anwar defended Nurul Izzah’s appointment as his senior economics and finance adviser, saying it was made based on her qualifications.
Anwar said Nurul Izzah had a degree in engineering and another degree in public and social policy from Johns Hopkins University in the US.
Analysts have since condemned the move, saying the former Permatang Pauh MP’s appointment reeked of nepotism and would attract unwarranted attention to the unity government when it was still trying to find its footing.
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Anwar was doing a disservice to his own call for good governance, which prohibits the practice of nepotism, among other things.
