PM: When cash was king, those not into corruption were seen as stupid
Corruption had become so rampant that it was done over the table instead of under the table in the past few years, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"I used to say previously, when corruption was an 'under the table' act, that it was a scourge to our nation's future...
Corruption had become so rampant that it was done over the table instead of under the table in the past few years, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"I used to say previously when corruption was an 'under the table' act, that it was a scourge on our nation's future.
"But the last few years saw corruption becoming an 'over the table' act, committed openly by the top leaders,” he added.
Speaking at the 11th international conference on financial crime and terrorism financing (IFCTF) in Kuala Lumpur this evening, Mahathir said when top leaders indulged in such acts, others would follow suit without fear.
The prime minister said corruption had become so acceptable that those not involved in the practice were considered stupid.
"It reached a level of almost becoming a lifestyle and that was when cash was ushered in and heralded as the new king," he added in an obvious reference to former premier Najib Abdul Razak.
Najib is currently on trial over a slew of charges related to the SRC International Sdn Bhd and 1MDB scandals.
Meanwhile, Mahathir also launched the Public-Private Initiative (PPP), which is a collaboration between Bank Negara Malaysia, the Securities Commission, law enforcement agencies such as MACC and police as well as financial institutions in their bid to combat financial crimes.
Also present were deputy inspector-general of police Mazlan Mansor, MACC chief Latheefa Koya and Bank Negara governor Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus.
Mahathir said the PPP would promote synergy in anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism.
"This is achieved through effective, timely and seamless sharing of financial intelligence from financial institutions for the purpose of crime prevention and law enforcement.
"Its more effective detection of suspicious transactions by financial institutions and other reporting institutions will go a long way in eradicating financial crimes," he added.
He said in exercising the PPP, law enforcement and financial institutions would continue to adhere to Malaysia's data protection legal framework in fighting the crimes.
Mahathir also noted that the level of public confidence in the government had increased from 46 percent in 2018 to 60 percent this year, according to the Edelman Trust Barometer.
"Malaysia also rose three steps from seventh place in 2016 to fourth in 2018 out of 12 Asia Pacific countries in the Corporate Governance Watch Report," he added.
However, he said in order for a nation to be free of corruption, the people must remove their old mindset that tolerated corrupt practices.
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