Anwar: Top official could not be touched
Published on: Sunday, August 06, 2023
By: Bernama
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is determined to put a stop to corrupt practices and irregularities which he said seemed to have become systemic and damaged previous administrations.
KEPALA BATAS: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is determined to put a stop to corrupt practices and irregularities which he said seemed to have become systemic and damaged previous administrations.
He said Malaysia was a country rich in oil and gas, oil palm and other natural resources but its previous governance was spoilt by such practices.
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He claimed that previous governments were beset by the practice of officials asking for ‘commissions’.
“I don’t mind being severely criticised for trying to put a stop to these practices. If I allow this (corruption), how can our country ever develop?” he said when opening the Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Assembly themed Madani Entrepreneurs Developing Economy here Saturday.
He said these unhealthy practices persisted in the past because no one dared to touch a top official.
Anwar also stressed that the government was determined to eradicate hardcore poverty this year. He said records show that there are now about 136,000 hardcore poor families in the country.
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“Don’t ever think that I feel comfortable to be PM at a time when some people could not even afford to buy milk, school uniforms... while we (politicians) are busy squabbling over other matters and fighting for power.
“Basic matters cannot be resolved; so I said, no matter what I will not compromise and want to eradicate poverty this year,” he said.
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Anwar congratulated the Penang government for its efforts in fighting poverty as the state has the lowest number of hardcore poor in the country.
About 1,000 Bumiputera entrepreneurs and representatives of 40 federal and state agencies attended the assembly at Bertam Resort.
In SEBERANG PERAI, Anwar said he received a “very good welcome” in Kedah during his visit to the state on Friday.
He said this showed the extraordinary support towards the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition in contrast to PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan’s assertion that the tide favours the Perikatan Nasional (PN) in all six states that will be going to the polls on August 12.
“It was only a political statement, when I was in Kedah last night, I received a very good welcome, we cannot deny that,” he said.
Takiyuddin has been reported saying that the PN wave in all six states will signal the PH-Barisan Nasional “unity government” will lose power soon.
Anwar believed that in the end, voters will choose a stable political party that can drive economic growth and reject extremism.
“We have clearly demonstrated our success in this,” he said.
Penang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu will be voting in state elections next Saturday.
Early voting is on August 8.
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