Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has defended the appointment of his daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar, as his senior economic and financial advisor.
Anwar said Nurul Izzah had a first degree in engineering and a second one in public and social policy from Johns Hopkins University, United States, and was appointed to assist him in the Prime Minister’s Department and the Ministry of Finance based on her qualification.
Despite Nurul not having any finance background, Anwar said there is no reason why only those with related qualifications must be on the job. He cited that when he was the Finance Minister for 8 years he didn’t have a finance-related degree or certificate. Further adding that Perikatan Nasional when the government had ministers not having relevant degrees or certificates.
The response came from news reports claiming Nurul Izzah having confirmed her appointment as senior economic and financial advisor to the Prime Minister, effective Jan 3 however she will not be receiving any allowance reiterated Anwar.
