C4 Center backs anti-graft rally, urges govt to act against corruption

Summary

• Anti-corruption group C4 Center joins other civil society movements in endorsing the Jan 25 anti-corruption rally.

• The group criticises the government over its lack of commitment to tackling corruption, including in the recent Sabah bribery scandal.

• C4 Center also calls out Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for being silent on suppressive actions against UMS students.

The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) today joined the list of civil society organisations that endorse the upcoming Himpunan Rakyat Benci Rasuah rally in Kuala Lumpur.

In a statement, it reiterates the movement’s call for Putrajaya to investigate all corruption cases without fear or favour, saying there is mounting doubt among the rakyat over the government’s commitment to tackling corruption.

This, according to C4 Center, was due to the government’s lack of action against corruption despite Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s promise of sweeping institutional reforms to ensure transparency and accountability, and a zero-tolerance attitude towards corruption in the public sector.

For example, the group cited the recent Sabah bribery scandal which implicated several state leaders and representatives where MACC has refused to guarantee protection for a whistleblower.

“Numerous events have compounded public dissatisfaction, such as the lack of anti-corruption reforms being enacted despite numerous promises, which include the separation of the attorney-general and public prosecutor offices and tabling of important anti-corruption laws, and the commutation of Najib Abdul Razak’s prison sentence, and the potential granting of house arrest for the remainder of his sentence.

“(There are) serious questions around the role of the Attorney-General’s Chambers in various discharges not amounting to acquittal and acquittals involving politically powerful individuals, such as Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Rosmah Mansor, Najib, and Bung Moktar Radin.

“And the appointment of Musa Aman as Sabah governor, despite his implication in numerous corruption scandals,” C4 Center said.

‘Why is Anwar keeping mum?’

Adding further, the group also called out the prime minister for not speaking up about suppressive actions taken by various pro-government entities against Universiti Malaysia Sabah students who organised an anti-corruption protest in Sabah on New Year’s Eve.

It said the students faced significant resistance, threats, and harassment, including demands by influential figures and the university for them to call off the rally, with the police “wrongfully” declaring it as illegal.

“Parties who are acting in favour of the government and on the government’s behalf are clearly suppressing these students’ right to freedom of assembly.

“Anwar, despite his own claims to anti-corruption, has not spoken up explicitly in support of the rally organisers or condemned the actions taken to suppress them.

“Hence, C4 Center reiterates the calls made by the Sekretariat Rakyat Benci Rasuah (top picture) to conduct fully transparent investigations into all allegations of corruption without fear or favour and for those found liable to face swift and decisive action.

“Additionally, C4 Center urges in the strongest possible terms for the government to introduce good governance laws and policies in order to remedy the systemic corruption that has become endemic within Malaysia’s political landscape.

“The Madani government can no longer rely on excuses and justifications of ‘incremental change’ any longer,” it said.

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