KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s eldest daughter, Ms Nurul Izzah Anwar, has stepped down as his economic adviser just over a month afterDatuk Seri Anwar, who also holds the finance minister post,after he appointed Ms Izzah, 42, who lost her parliamentary seat in the November general election, as his pro bono adviser on economics and finance on Jan 3.
It also advises the finance minister on matters related to government-linked companies , including determining their relevance and consolidating them where appropriate, as well as national debt and good governance. “I humbly accept this responsibility. With this new role, I will no longer serve as senior adviser on economics and finance to the prime minister.”
Despite Mr Anwar insisting that his eldest daughter’s previous short-lived role was an unpaid one, critics said the move reeked of nepotism as Ms Izzah did not have experience in economics and finance.