Don’t politicise probe on individuals for graft, says PM

SEPANG: Affirming that good governance must begin from the top, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says the move by the authorities to investigate certain individuals must not be politicised.

The Prime Minister said there was no reason for the public to have the perception that a prime minister would end his tenure by having amassed a lot of money.

“And that the people will forgive a leader for doing so. This will just cause disaster and be catastrophic to the country.

“That is why the police and the anti-corruption body must continue to do their job in protecting the country,” Anwar said at the launch of a symposium on good governance here yesterday.

He said while it is normal for one to be loyal and have political leanings, the authorities must be allowed to carry out their responsibilities even if it involves individuals or political parties that they have a liking for.

“Whenever action is taken against prominent figures, it becomes a controversy. Their influence will often cause people to challenge the investigations.

“Your loyalty towards anyone or any party is your prerogative. But if there is proof and a strong case, I don’t care about their positions of influence. Stern action must be taken,” he said.

Anwar said the good that came out of his own stint in prison was that it left him fearless. “I have lost the feeling of fear. So if an action needs to be taken, it will be done.

“If someone comes to me and claims that there is corruption going on, it will not be tolerated,” he added, adding that Malaysian Anti-corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki was fully aware of his stand on corruption.

Further venting his frustration with corrupt practices, Anwar spoke of how tedious it was for the government to review allowances and salaries for civil servants as it involved public funds.

“But when someone takes money, no one speaks out. In fact, some even defended it, telling me to let go and to stop being vengeful,” he said.

Earlier in Putrajaya, Anwar said secretary-generals of the respective ministries and department heads would now have to submit monthly reports on the progress of government projects.

He said the reports must be submitted to Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, with the prime minister being kept informed too.

“There must be a monthly report on what has been done and what the civil servants have contributed to in the effort to implement projects.

“This report is to be sent through the director-general to the secretary-general, then to the Chief Secretary,” he said in his monthly address with staff members of the Prime Minister’s Department here yesterday. The assembly was the first of the year.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, urged ministries to use a different and bolder approach to implementing projects.