Not a single case of a unity government minister pocketing the people’s money: Malaysia PM Anwar
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim with incumbent Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who is waving the Barisan Nasional (BN) flag, at the launch of the state election machinery in Penang on Jul 17, 2023. (Photo: Facebook/Anwar Ibrahim)
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Sunday (Jul 16) that not a single minister that is part of the unity government has pocketed the people’s money, based on investigations by the country’s anti-graft agency.
“It's been eight months since I instructed the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) (to) check all the ministers.
“There is not a single case showing that the ministers have pocketed the people's money,” said Mr Anwar during a speech at the launch of the state election machinery in Penang.
He added that this is “a record in the country’s political history”.
“If we don't clean up, this country will go to the dogs,” he said.
He also noted that many former ministers claiming to defend the fate of Malays in Malaysia have a record of corruption.
“You talk about integrity, you talk about governance (but) with your track record? Let the bodies investigate.
“You talk a lot (but) when you were the prime minister (and) when you were the finance minister, billions were wasted. There are joint accounts abroad, there are banks abroad ... (with) billions of ringgit (involved),” claimed Mr Anwar, though he did not specify the name of the former ministers.
He also urged for an end to the racial enmity in Malaysia.
“If we continue with (the issue of) the Chinese attacking the Malays (and) the Malays hating (the) Chinese, what will happen? Everyone, this is our home,” said Mr Anwar.
Over the past few weeks, former Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has made headlines for his statements espousing Malay rights in Malaysia.
On Jul 4, Dr Mahathir claimed that the concept of a multiracial Malaysia will erode Malay rights and make them “poor”.
He was doubling down on his statement the day before that promoting a multiracial Malaysia is unconstitutional, arguing that the federal constitution never mentioned that Malaysia was multiracial.
Dr Mahathir has also previously warned about the potential erosion of Malay rights under the current government.
Since failing to defend his Langkawi seat during GE15, he has authored a Malay Proclamation that purportedly aims to protect the interests of Malays, and has been questioned by police over this campaign.
I AM NOT BETRAYING MALAYS AND ISLAM: ANWAR
Separately, in his closing speech at the Penang-level Malaysia Madani seminar on Sunday, Mr Anwar stressed that he has never used his authority as prime minister to betray Islam and the Malays in Malaysia.
According to Bernama, Mr Anwar said that he had never belittled the Malays and Islam just because he was backing incumbent Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for the chief minister position.
“For eight months I have been asking in parliament, what have I done to betray the Malays and Islam? Is it because I support the Penang chief minister? I am not betraying, I am just accepting political realities. I want peace in the country.
“In all the other states, the Malays and Muslims are holding very important positions such as the king, the finance minister, chief justice, attorney-general (and) Bank Negara governor,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Last Friday, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) announced that Mr Chow will be named as the party’s Penang chief minister candidate for the state polls.
According to Bernama, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke in a statement said that the decision was made unanimously at the DAP’s candidate selection committee meeting which he chaired the day before.
“Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has been informed about the decision and he, as the chairman of Pakatan Harapan (PH), also gave his blessing,” he said. DAP is a component party of PH.
Polling for the upcoming six state elections will take place on Aug 12. The states holding elections are Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.
