KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is setting a wrong precedent by appointing his daughter Nurul Izzah as the senior adviser on economic and financial matters, say political experts.
They also agreed that the decision could be seen as betraying the people's trust, which opposition parties could use against the Pakatan Harapan chairman.
Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism deputy chief executive officer Sudhagaran Stanley said while the appointment was justified as pro bono, the main concern was the issue of nepotism itself.
"We are concerned that he (Anwar) is setting the wrong precedent by appointing a family member to an important position.
"This could place Anwar in a difficult and dangerous position," he told the New Straits Times.
The delay in announcing the appointment, he said, should not have also happened.
"Other ministers might now do the same in appointing their daughters or family members to lead important portfolios.
"Where do we draw the line here then? This is surely not a good governance practice," he said.
Sudhagaran said there should be transparency in political appointments, in addition to following good practice examples during selection.
He added that the candidates' qualifications, applications, and selection process needed to be made public and transparent so that every interested individual would have a chance to apply for the job.
"Surely the prime minister or any minister for that matter would want the best and most qualified person to be on his team.
"But how do we achieve this, when there is no room for the public to apply for such positions?" he asked.
He also questioned the benchmark in appointing the most suited person for the position and asked if Nurul Izzah was the most qualified person for it.
The Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli's portfolio in the cabinet might also cause a conflict or duplication in the work process, he said.
He said the government's reform agenda would see difficulties in convincing civil servants.
"Who would the prime minister listen to on recommendations? His daughter or the economic minister?
"The government must urgently initiate reforms and this must start from the top. There needs to be a clear signal that they are serious about reforms."
By appointing family members, civil servants would not be convinced that this government is serious in the reform agenda and sends a troubling signal downline, he said.
He said every action taken by key leaders at the top must be of high governance standards and ensure confidence among the public in general.
Political analyst Dr Ainul Adzellie Hasnul said the position should be given to a person other than family members of the prime minister.
"Even though this issue will eventually fizzle out, I do think that the opposition will use this issue in the upcoming state elections.
"Despite Nurul Izzah being qualified to become the senior adviser for the prime minister, as Anwar's daughter, it is some sort of nepotism.
"In my opinion, Anwar should consider appointing someone else as a way to settle this issue," he said.
Another analyst, professor Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin said the appointment could contradict Anwar's Malaysia MADANI slogan.
"Nurul Izzah knows better. She should not have accepted the post and withdraw immediately.
"Nepotism remains a corrupt practice no matter how excellent or brilliant a family member is; with or without salary."