"It is good," remarked former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad when asked today for his views on the actions taken by the government to weed out corruption and criminal breach of trust.

According to a Bernama report, a jovial Mahathir made the statement after he was approached by reporters at Intan Bukit Kiara in Kuala Lumpur after his wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali was presented with the Fellow Intan Award 2003.

His successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had since taking over from him on Oct 31 last year intensified efforts to rid the nation of corrupt practices.

Duo charged

This week saw two prominent individuals brought before the court on corruption charges. Former Perwaja Steel Sdn Bhd managing director Eric Chia was charged on Feb 10 with criminal breach of trust involving a state agency's fund amounting to RM76.4 million.

The following day, Land and Cooperative Development Minister Kasitah Gaddam pleaded not guilty to corruption and cheating charges pertaining to the sale of Sapi Plantation Sdn Bhd shares held by the Sabah Land Development Board (SLDB) in 1996, said to have been committed by him in his capacity as executive chairman of SLDB.

On Friday, de factor law minister Dr Rais Yatim said the authorities were finalising investigations into 18 more corruption cases involving high-profile individuals.