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Anwar: Past contributions no excuse for compromising on corruption
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has warned against excusing corruption on the grounds of a leader's past contributions, amid public attention on the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision yesterday allowing former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.
In a social media post today featuring excerpts from his address at the 14th Madani Intellectual Forum, Anwar said compromising with corruption in the name of a leader's past service was contrary to Islamic teachings.
“Even hundreds of years...
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has warned against excusing corruption on the grounds of a leader's past contributions, amid public attention on the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision yesterday allowing former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.
In a social media post today featuring excerpts from his address at the 14th Madani Intellectual Forum, Anwar said compromising with corruption in the name of a leader's past service was contrary to Islamic teachings.
“Even hundreds of years of service cannot be an excuse for us to let anyone plunder and rob the wealth of the people and the nation,” he said.
Yesterday, High Court judge Aslam Zainuddin ordered Najib to serve the remainder of his commuted six-year prison sentence at his Jalan Langgak Duta residence until Aug 23, 2028.
Najib was originally sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million after being found guilty of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering involving RM42 million belonging to SRC International.
In January 2024, the Federal Territories Pardons Board reduced his prison term to six years and his fine to RM50 million.
Warning against permissiveness
Anwar also cautioned against a culture of permissiveness, in which minor wrongdoing is overlooked until even serious offences become tolerated.
Citing former Indonesian prime minister Mohammad Natsir, he warned that repeatedly overlooking minor offences could lead society to accept increasingly serious wrongdoing, including the loss of billions.
“This tolerance for evil is what destroys us,” Anwar said, quoting the late Natsir, whom he has described as a mentor and father figure, and who influenced his thinking on Islam's engagement with a multiracial society.
He also urged those opposed to corruption to speak out more forcefully and send a clear message that those involved in corrupt practices belong in prison.
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This is an astonishing U turn from Anwar. Last time when he was in honeymoon with UMNO he defended Najib royal pardon by saying that Najib was a PM with great contribution to the country? And now it became even with contribution you shouldn't get preferential treatment? What a chameleon.
Excusing corruption based on past contributions sends a dangerous signal,that if you hold power and resources, you can do whatever you want.This completely destroys anti corruption efforts. Corruption directly hurts the interests of the nation and all Malaysians.Never forget that.
When is he going to shut up with his hadith and dire warnings. He facilitated Najib's pardon and house arrest and he now talks like an innocent angel. Please don't take the people for stupid Anwar.
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