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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright February 2023
Malaysia is no different from many other countries when it comes to nepotism. Be it the US during Trump's days or the Pope himself in Papal Rome.
By nepotism, we mean a practice amongst the powerful elites or influential politicians to favour blood relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs.
"Nepotism is a word invented in ecclesiastical language to express a peculiar characteristic of many high ecclesiastics in Roman Catholic countries, and more particularly of popes, a propensity, namely, to aggrandize their family by exorbitant grants and favours conferred on members of it; literally on nephews (Latin nepotes).
It's no surprise then that "many of the highest and wealthiest families of the Roman nobility owe their elevation entirely to this species of patronage." (Cyclopedia)
Locally, PMX, the Speaker, an MB and his deputy all subscribe to this form of patronage. We shall not pass any judgement on those involved.
Neither do we want to label this current practice which is spreading in Malaysia now as anything negative but merely term it as a form of favouritism.
It's just an ordinary act to assist a member of the family to be gainfully employed irrespective of whether the person is paid or not.
But the idea of recruiting a member of your own immediate family into an organisation that you helm is indeed by definition a practice of nepotism. PMX cannot deny that it is not nepotism because by definition it really is so!
Whether it's pro bono or paid. There's a caricature circulating on social media that lampoons a former PM's wife who suposedly advised her husband on pro bono basis too! Just like the daughter of PMX is expected to do.
In the case of nepotism, whether the person concerned gets a driver, a car or a plush office or gets nothing does not matter.
What matters is what they are indulging in is a practice called nepotism where a PM or the Speaker or MB favours their own immediate family members over others.
Why is the public so riled up over the PMX's appointment of his own daughter?
Or why are members of the public equally bothered when the Speaker of Dewan Rakyat chose to appoint his own son as a personal assistant?
They know that the daughter of PMX will do the work of a Senior Adviser pro bono and that the son of the Speaker will be paid by his father.
So, under the above scenario why then must the public be unduly concerned?
Anyway, in organisations, "nepotism is frowned upon because it can give unfair advantages to family members or friends, leading to unfair hiring and promotion practices."
But the main reason why the general public is most concerned about our leaders subscribing to nepotism is simply because it involves a great deal of risks.
"The most obvious risk is that nepotism can lead to unfairness in the workplace. Nepotism can also create tension and conflict among co-workers. Additionally, nepotism can lead to cronyism, in which friends and family members of the boss receive preferential treatment. This can undermine the merit-based system of hiring and promotion. Finally, nepotism can lead to corruption, as relatives may be given jobs or contracts in exchange for kickbacks or other favours."
The public is hopping mad over Nurul Izza's appointment as Senior Adviser to her father PMX because of the risks involved.
They become more alarmed when PMX announced that his daughter would be supervising the award of government contracts and tenders!
Anwar said "Nurul Izzah will also ensure that proper procedure is followed when it comes to contracts and tenders. She is not there to take projects. If people criticise and they are sincere, I have no problems with it. I want to ensure there are no unhealthy practices in the administration." (Business Today)
We are certain that Nurul is an ethical person with high integrity like her dad.
That their family will honour all promises made and will not compromise national interests nor will they sacrifice on standards set in all contracts and tenders for every government project be it big or small.
However, like everyone in positions of power they may be open to tempations like the Popes of Papal Rome who were there to serve only God. Yet they wavered because power corrupts!
The public's concerns are legitimate because all politicians are humans after all and they too may succumb to temptations.
That's what we fear might happen.
That's why we the public are so opposed to nepotism, Brother Anwar, Sister Nurul or Papa Jo in the Dewan Rakyat.
We're not against you. We're just against temptations!
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