Anwar: Let MACC arrest people every day, I won't interfere

Summary

• PM supports the MACC taking strong action to recover stolen public funds, including making arrests daily if needed.

• Anwar stresses the importance of curbing abuse of power and increasing transparency in governance.

• There should be no more projects without open tender, he says, and the MACC should investigate thoroughly.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has no objections to the MACC taking aggressive action to recover stolen public funds, including making arrests daily if necessary.

Speaking at the Madani Rakyat programme in Lumut, Perak, today, Anwar stressed that reforms in governance must prioritise curbing abuse of power and increasing transparency.

“No more projects without open tender. No more looting. Let the MACC investigate thoroughly. Arrest people every day if you have to - I won’t interfere,” he said.

Anwar also dismissed claims that investigations were politically motivated, stressing that action must be taken regardless of a person’s position or political affiliation.

“If they want to arrest someone in Sabah, go ahead,” he said, in reference to MACC chief Azam Baki’s recent remarks that at least two individuals would soon be charged in connection with the Sabah corruption scandal.

“From the unity government? Go ahead. From the opposition? Go ahead,” he added.

Azam (above, right), on June 12, said the MACC would announce the names of the two individuals soon, and hinted that more charges could follow.

The commissioner’s statement, however, attracted criticism over perceived selective prosecution, as at least eight Sabah assemblypersons were previously implicated in the case.

No exemption

Anwar called for stern action to also apply to former leaders accused of misappropriating public funds.

“If they really stole, arrest them. Don’t say ‘pity them, they’re old.’ Sure, I pity them - but return the people’s money. Otherwise, how am I supposed to repair schools?” he said.

He added that while he has personally forgiven past attacks against him, there will be no compromise when it comes to public funds.

“You beat me, kicked me, jailed me, insulted me and my family. Now I’ve become prime minister - I’ve forgiven all that.

“But if you stole from the people of my country, that is not mine to forgive. I want to recover every sen,” he said.

Touching on policy matters, Anwar said the government remains open to reviewing its decisions, including the recently expanded sales and services tax (SST), which has faced public criticism.

“I’m not saying our proposals are 100 percent perfect. There are weaknesses, like with SST. But we discuss, we evaluate, and we improve.

“What’s important is to understand why taxes are imposed,” he added.

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