“It is not ethically wrong as he has the qualifications and capabilities to head the board. It has nothing to do with the prime minister as the decision was finalised by the NAFAS board members,” said Padang Rengas MP Nazri Aziz.

Nazri said the appointment of Zamri, who was with the Pahang farmers association previously, was based on merit and not because he is the brother of the prime minister.

“Just because he is the prime minister’s brother, it doesn’t mean he can’t do any work (hold any positions). Tun M (Mahathir Mohamad) used to say the same thing. His children were given various positions but he said he can’t stop it because someone wants to appoint them.

“We can’t be angry with the prime minister for this. There is no issue as each of us have capabilities that benefit the country,” he told FMT.

On Sept 13, NAFAS’ official Facebook page uploaded a congratulatory note over Zamri’s appointment. However, the announcement was criticised by social media users with the majority claiming the appointment was due to his connection to the prime minister.

Some netizens also taunted the appointment as Ismail’s version of “Keluarga Malaysia.”

Meanwhile, Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, who welcomed the announcement, described the appointment as a “small matter”. He did not elaborate.

Ismail, who is also Umno vice-president and Bera MP, is the youngest of seven siblings.