Azalina Othman appointed as PM's special advisor

2 Oct 2021

By Ilona Andrew

KUALA LUMPUR: Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has been appointed as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's special advisor in law and human rights.

Nabalu News learned that she received the letter of appointment from Ismail last Thursday.

Through her Facebook posting, Azalina said: "Thank you to Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for the trust. I will do my best for the country."

The former deputy speaker also shared a photo of her receiving the appointment letter from the prime minister.

Veteran Politician Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad, while congratulating Azalina, said she proved to be a person of firm principles when she defended the glory of the Dewan Rakyat when she was suspended during the Emergency.

"Azalina resigned as Deputy Speaker because she did not want to face a conflict of interest in her position as UMNO Supreme Council member. Two actions that are firm on principle.

"Many parliamentarians, including ministers, when speaking in the House of Representatives will use the phrase "noble House" but do not actually stick to those words. They were silent when Parliament was suspended or ‘sterilised’ by then Prime Minister Tan Sri Mahiaddin Yasin.

"They are more fond of worldly pleasures that come with positions. Parliament is not considered an important institution in the system of Parliamentary Democracy," he said in his Facebook posting.

Sharir also mentioned that Ismail Sabri took a bold step by appointing Azalina as the Law and Human Rights Advisor as she is a person who is serious in whatever role that is given to her.

"For me, Azalina deserves to be appointed as the Attorney-General so that the country can change to the separation of the role of the Attorney General (as a member of the Cabinet and the Government's legal advisor) with the role of the Public Prosecutor. I hope this will happen, God willing."