'Strange': Anwar slams opposition's alleged muted stance on graft

Summary

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim accused the opposition of abandoning their traditional role as corruption watchdogs, alleging they now use parliamentary proceedings to seemingly shield wealthy individuals from scrutiny.

• He expressed bewilderment at their silence on corruption matters, contrasting this with his own opposition days when corruption was top priority.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has taken a veiled swipe at the opposition, alleging they have seemingly abandoned their traditional role as corruption watchdogs.

He expressed bewilderment at the opposition’s purported silence, a marked departure from how previous opposition parties, including his, had raised issues of graft.

“That’s why when we look at the opposition, for instance, there’s not much discussion about corruption. Strange,” Anwar remarked in his speech during the Finance Ministry’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya this morning.

He drew a stark contrast with his own experience in the opposition, saying anti-corruption efforts formed the cornerstone of their political discourse.

“When I was in opposition before, corruption was priority number one. Now corruption is... hmm,” he said, his words trailing off to emphasise the vacuum now in opposition rhetoric.

Anwar’s criticism intensified as he accused opposition members of actively obstructing anti-corruption efforts through parliamentary procedures.

Rather than supporting investigations into questionable wealth accumulation, he alleged they were using their platform to do the opposite.

The prime minister painted a picture of an opposition more concerned with protecting the wealthy than pursuing justice, citing a case involving an individual who amassed RM4 billion through unclear business dealings.

“This means using Parliament to defend people who hold wealth worth billions.

“What business was he in? Don’t know. But how much wealth? RM4 billion. What business was he in? Perhaps he bought shares.

“When he died, how much was his estate worth? RM2 billion. This is totally unacceptable,” Anwar said, highlighting the opacity surrounding such enormous fortunes.

The premier, however, stopped short of naming anyone explicitly.

He particularly criticised the opposition’s tendency to invoke sympathy for those under investigation, mimicking their defensive rhetoric.

“Even when we take action, (they criticise, saying) how could we? It’s pitiful. He’s already old, or he’s no longer with us.

“We’re not trying to punish the dead. We want to recover the money that was taken illegally,” he stressed.

He dismissed such arguments, clarifying that the government’s objective was asset recovery, not posthumous punishment.

Opposition slams corruption revelations

Anwar’s broadside against the opposition came as his own administration faces pressure to deliver on promises of clean governance while tackling systemic corruption that he argues has become deeply embedded in Malaysian political culture.

Contrary to Anwar's remarks, the opposition has been criticising him and his government following several recent high-profile exposés, implicating several Sabah lawmakers in a mineral prospecting licence scandal.

Most recently, Anwar's former aide Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak was implicated in an allegation that a coal mining exploration licence in Sabah was approved for a company with which he has connections.

Farhash has dismissed the claims, however, MalaysiaNow has released a cache of evidence to support its report, including an audio clip tied to the allegation.

Calls for Anwar’s resignation

In his address, Anwar also dismissed calls for his resignation, insisting it would have no political impact whatsoever.

“This isn’t a matter of political dispute. If it’s politics, then wait for the general election in two years. So this ‘turun Anwar’ (step down Anwar) business has no effect. Don’t worry about it,” he added.

The “Turun Anwar” protest scheduled for 2pm in downtown Kuala Lumpur on July 26, is the apex of a series of smaller demonstrations the opposition has been organising, calling for Anwar’s resignation.

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