Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has appointed four more business leaders and academics to advise him in his duties as finance minister.
They will form an advisory body which will be led by Petronas advisor and former president Hassan Marican, whose appointment was already announced in December last year.
The other four members of the body are FVSB executive chairperson Ahmad Fuad Md Ali, Sunway University economics professor Yeah Kim Leng, University of Malaya economics professor Rajah Rasiah, and Sarawak Energy Bhd chairperson Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi.
“I wish to reiterate my stance that the special advisory body will not receive any payment from the government,” Anwar said in a statement today.
Previously, during his cabinet announcement, Anwar said Hassan and several advisors will assist him with his Finance Ministry portfolio, but did not name the other advisors at the time.
The new appointments also came at a time Anwar has been heavily criticised for appointing his daughter Nurul Izzah as senior advisor on economics and finance, which has led to accusations of nepotism.
The Tambun MP has repeatedly defended his decision, saying his daughter has the requisite expertise and experience, and her role does not come with any power or remuneration.
Nurul Izzah does not appear to be a member of the newly minted advisory body, however. Anwar’s statement today stated it will only comprise five professionals and economic experts and did not list his daughter among the quintet. – Malaysiakini