KUALA LUMPUR: The practice of nepotism through the appointment of immediate relatives to government positions should be avoided.

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said he was aware of the criticism lobbed against the appointments of Nurul Izzah Anwar as the senior economic and financial adviser to the prime minister and Mohammed Iqbal Johari as Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul's special duties officer.

"Such appointments should be avoided in the future and by any future government.

"However, in the matters involving Nurul Izzah and Iqbal, the appointments had been made.

"These (appointments) did not involve the people's money. What we can hope from them is that (their appointments) will add value (to the administration or service).

"I am confident that they have their (specific) roles (to carry out)," Rafizi said after attending a Chinese New Year open house in Pandan Indah here last night.

He said all parties involved in such appointments should be aware of the people's views in the matter.

"As for PKR, we hope to move on (from the controversy). That is the challenge faced by Nurul Izzah and Iqbal to prove that they can provide added value without requiring any money to be paid by the people.

"Of course, I understand (the people's) sentiment on this issue."

The controversy was raised after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed that he has appointed his daughter, Nurul Izzah, as his senior economic and financial adviser.

Johari received similar flak after his son, Iqbal, was appointed as his special duties officer, as listed on Parliament's official website.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/02/876716/rafizi-govt-should-not-allow-nepotism-appointments