Help govt fight graft, Dr M tells media

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who turned 93 yesterday, said his birthday wish was for the press to help the government fight corruption.

Dr Mahathir shared his birthday wish with the media when he was asked what he desired most on his special day.

“I wish the press will help us to overcome corruption. Thanks,” he shared.

On whether he had done enough to ensure his administration was corruption-free, he replied tongue in cheek that he would only know if someone had broken the law.

He said his government and members of parliament must set the best example in the fight against corruption.

“Otherwise, it will be difficult for them to advise others not to practise corruption and to say ‘no’ to corruption.”

He said the government would go all out to fight corruption, citing examples, including strengthening the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and making sure no one, including the prime minister and deputy prime minister, was above the law.

On issues related to reducing graft among public officials, he said he was aware that the government paid lower salaries.

He joked that he would consider slashing the salaries of those in the private sector too.

This sparked laughter from the media, who are in the private sector.

On his take about corruption compared with the time when he was in office in the 1980s, he said the government machinery then was clean.

“When we took over the government (after the 14th General Election, action has been taken to fight corruption.”