I made him my special officer, so what - defiant Nazri Aziz retorts
BY YISWAREE PALANSAMYAUGUST 15, 2013
"I don't give a damn and I do not need to appease anyone by removing my son's name."
This was the reaction from Cabinet minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz when asked about his son being listed as a "special officer" in the official website of the Tourism and Culture Ministry.
"I'm a trained lawyer and I know what I am doing," Nazri told reporters during a press conference in Shah Alam today.
The firebrand minister added that it was hisministry and he could put anybody’s name there.
“I am still elected and I am still the minister... I don’t care what you people think... He is my son and I am happy that I made him my special officer.”
Nazri reiterated his stand that his son, Muhammad Nedim, was merely an aide who was not on the government's payroll.
"He has been working for me since 2008 and it was because of him that I won with a bigger majority in my constituency this time around," he added.
He said Nedim was also the reason he was able to connect with youths in Padang Rengas and that it was his prerogative to create any post in his ministry.
"He only helps me with work in my constituency and does not meddle in ministry-related issues.
"I have made it clear to my family that I will be the only politician from among us," he said.
The appointment of Nedim has raised questions of “nepotism and cronyism” among critics.
The issue was first raised by a pro-establishment blogger Cucu Tok Selampit, who had said that this could turn off "supporters of the government".
"How can supporters of the government defend their leaders if they keep practising nepotism and cronyism?
"We cannot talk about (Pakatan Rakyat leaders) Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh and Nik Aziz etc. who promote their children if Umno/BN leaders do so themselves," said the blogger.
Last year, Nedim got his father into a spot of bother when he was pictured driving a luxury car registered to controversial businessman Michael Chia.
Chia and Sabah Umno leaders were reportedly investigated for graft involving RM40 million, but all were cleared.
Nedim was also in the news last year after his bodyguards allegedly assaulted a condominium security guard.
The then Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had said in a written reply in Parliament the matter had been resolved. - August 15, 2013.
source : the malaysianinsider
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