Former Foreign and Home Minister Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar congratulated Nurul Izzah Anwar, 42, for her appointment as Senior Adviser to the Prime Minister on Economics and Finance.
“She will definitely fulfil the task entrusted upon her as she is known for being a principled leader. Nurul is also a dedicated and committed person to whatever task assigned to her. I wish her the best in this new career.
“Nurul is fully qualified to take on the position with her vast experience being an Member of Parliament and other international leadership roles,” Syed Hamid added.
Nurul is the eldest daughter of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and she is working pro bono for the government, Datuk Seri Anwar said on Saturday as reported by Malaysiakini.
“I am not paying her any allowances,” he said after an event in his constituency in Tambun, Perak, in response to questions by reporters about her appointment.
Anwar himself is not drawing a salary and defended the appointment of his daughter after being criticised by an opposition leader. Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu asked whether she is qualified for the post as she only has a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
Amuthambigai Tharmarajah, a Petronas pioneer senior official and Founding Member of Soroptimist Clubs in Malaysia said that Nurul was fully experienced and qualified for the Finance Ministry position.
"Nurul Izzah fits this Adviser position very well. This is where she can contribute best in Government. She's highly intelligent and is agile of mind enough to sieve through loads of information to logically pick out the core issue and points to find a solution. This is a better role for her than for her to be an MP in a rural seat, having to look out for puddles on roads and unlit traffic lights,” she added.
Nurul, Amuthambigai said would be an asset to the Government and the Prime Minister as she had held financial advisory positions in her political career.
Lotus Group CEO Tan Sri R.Doraisingam welcomed the idea of the PM appointing Nurul Izzah as a key official in the Finance Ministry. “Nurul is fit for the job as an experienced leader as an MP and leader in PKR. She will work very well with Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli. She also has a master’s degree in public policy from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.”
The former Permatang Pauh MP told The Star in an interview that her appointment took effect on Jan 3.
The prime minister’s daughter hoped that her past experience as an MP, where she worked on poverty and technical and vocational education (TVET) issues, as well as her service on the Public Accounts Committee would serve her well.
“These can be leveraged in my engagement with experts in navigating economic governance, accountability and evidence-based policies. My new roles will allow me to take on new responsibilities that are no doubt challenging, given the economic headwinds we are facing,” she told the daily.
“However, I am confident of being able to contribute to the evolution of a Malaysia that not only seeks growth for growth’s sake but one that elevates all strata of society and provides equity in opportunities.”
Nurul Izzah previously served as the MP for Lembah Pantai for two terms from 2008 and later in Permatang Pauh, but she lost in the last general election (GE15).
M. Krishnamoorthy is a media coach, associate professor, and journalist who worked and freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian T.V. networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled, salesman and as Member of Parliament.
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