Reforms still ongoing, Anwar tells 'liberal' media

Summary

• Anwar Ibrahim rebuffs “liberal” media criticising him over the pace of reforms.

• Anwar emphasises that reforms are very much underway, but won’t be rushed.

• PM also announces RM30 million allocation to help media undergo digital transformation.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim once again rebuffed critics over the pace of reforms under his watch, saying change is happening.

This time, the premier zoomed in on criticism for “liberal” media.

“Some people attack (me), sometimes (from) friends in the media, especially those who are quite liberal.

“(They say) ‘Wah Anwar this, that... No. (Law and Institutional Reform Minister) Azalina Othman Said has detailed that there are tens of pieces of legislation (in the works),” he said at the National Journalists’ Day celebration in Kuala Lumpur today.

Among the reforms already in place, he highlighted, was the Financial and Fiscal Responsibility Act - which required, among others, that every single government contract go through proper process and tender.

Implementing such a law in a country where corruption was endemic, he said, made him very unpopular with businesses used to the “old ways”.

He also stressed how action is being taken against corrupt leaders and businesspersons who had swindled billions of ringgit in public funds.

“But I have not seen that sort of anger and support (for this crackdown) as we should have.

“But that doesn’t matter. I do my job regardless of whether I have the support or not. That is my duty, and I will do my utmost to ensure that we rid this country of this endemic corruption,” he said.

Lessons from the past

Earlier, Anwar also cited lessons from Umayyad caliph Umar Abd Aziz, who, despite having power and being a devout Muslim, declined to rush through the implementation of Islamic laws.

Umar had himself cited how God had only made alcohol impermissible to Muslims in stages instead of an immediate ban.

Anwar’s continued defence of his reformist credentials comes as his administration crosses the two and a half year mark.

Despite being led by a pro-reform party, the coalition government has been accused of dragging its feet and, at times, even backtracking on promises of progress.

Among the reforms still ostensibly “under study” are term limits for the prime minister, separating the attorney-general and public prosecutor roles, and introducing a Political Financing Act.

Another promise yet to be fulfilled is having MACC chief commissioner candidates vetted by a bipartisan parliamentary committee.

Instead, Anwar has extended controversial MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s contract three times past retirement - justifying it by saying that the latter is the only individual bold enough to go after corrupt individuals in high places.

This is despite objections, including from his own daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar.

On a separate matter, Anwar today announced a RM30 million allocation to help the media undergo a digital transformation and adapt to artificial intelligence.

Details of how the fund will be disbursed will be announced by the Communications Ministry.

Earlier, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil also announced that accredited media personnel can get a one-off 50 percent discount on AirAsia flights to 57 destinations in Asean, as part of a collaboration between the ministry and the airline.

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