FIRST STRONG SHOW OF LEADERSHIP FROM ‘TIN KOSONG’ ANWAR – DON’T USE ‘HELPING BUMI’ EXCUSE TO JUSTIFY CORRUPTION, SAYS PM – INDEED, HIGH TIME TO STOP GRAFT FROM FURTHER SEEPING INTO THE BLOODSTREAM & CULTURE OF THE ‘BUMI’ – BUT CAN ANWAR WITHSTAND THE IMMENSE PRESSURE THAT IS BOUND TO COME FROM GRAVY TRAIN-HUNGRY PN-PAS, THE DEEP STATE, PAKATAN ALLIES INCLUDING UMNO & EVEN FROM HIS OWN BACKYARD!
Don’t justify corruption by using ‘helping bumi’ excuse, says PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Leaders shouldn’t justify corruption by using the excuse of assisting bumiputra in obtaining government tenders, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“The practice of assisting bumiputra and pocketing money isn’t allowed.
“There is an existing policy on assisting bumiputra and we have no objection to that.
“But, it is not allowed to use the ‘bumiputra’ excuse in asking companies to give money to individuals and parties,” said Anwar during Question Time on Tuesday morning (Feb 21).
Anwar was responding to Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong), who asked about steps taken by the government to ensure the accountability and transparency of government institutions.
Anwar said the Pandora papers that were leaked in October 2021, were currently being probed by various authorities, including the police, the anti-national anti-financial crime centre (NFCC), the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the Bank Negara Malaysia, and the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN).
Anwar said he was satisfied with the ongoing investigations and the authorities have updated him after summoning several individuals for questioning.
“But, efforts to stop this (storing money in offshore accounts) is ongoing and that is why the Finance Ministry said that the tendering process must be more transparent,” added Anwar.
Several Malaysian politicians who were named in the Pandora Papers were currently being probed.
Among them was an 84-year-old individual, a former minister, who was asked to explain the money flow involving 12 offshore companies owned by him and his family.
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian) asked if the government has intentions to scrutinise offshore accounts while also including political donations from abroad.
Anwar said the amount of money involved in the Pandora Papers is quite high, after taking into account the country’s present economic states and residents.
“Most monies brought out of Malaysia were from illicit and illegal sources. I cannot say that all of it is illegal. This will depend on the investigating authorities, but the amount is too high for the country,” added Anwar.
The Pandora Papers was a data leak involving 2.94 terabytes of data which cited the opening of offshore accounts involving former and current government and political leaders around the world, including Malaysia. ANN
PKR MP worries aggressive anti-graft drive will be misinterpreted
Hassan Karim warns that action against individuals linked to the opposition could be seen as a form of political persecution.
KUALA LUMPUR: A government backbencher has voiced concern over the government’s aggressive approach in tackling corruption, cautioning that this could be misinterpreted by the opposition as political persecution.
Debating the King’s address in the Dewan Rakyat, Hassan Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) said he supported Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s efforts to aggressively tackle corruption, as decreed by the King.
“But I am worried that (this could be seen) as selective persecution, (where) the opposition parties become the victims. However, it is fine if there is a basis (for such action).”
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He said, as a backbencher, he was aware that the government could summon these figures because the MACC and police were under the executive.
Noting that Anwar is both prime minister and finance minister, he warned Anwar to exercise caution in using his powers as “absolute power corrupts absolutely”.
Stating that he regarded the PKR president as a “good friend” who had “integrity, commitment and is serious” about combating corruption, Hassan pointed out that the finance portfolio was not held by the prime minister up until Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first stint in the top post.
He added that the prime minister already had vast powers, which included advising the King on certain matters.
“I harbour no ill intention here. I just want to remind (the prime minister) that power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Therefore, the power (he has) needs to be exercised carefully and not in a hasty manner.”
Hassan also said he did not want a scandal like 1MDB – which involved the sixth prime minister Najib Razak, who had also held the finance portfolio – to recur.