Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has stressed the government’s commitment to continue to rid the country of corruption, smuggling and cartel activities following the success of strict enforcement, which led to the recovery of RM15.5 billion in two years.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the success proves the government’s firmness in ensuring that no party, including high-ranking individuals, escapes legal action if involved in activities that are detrimental to the country.
“We have successfully seized RM15.5 billion in stolen and smuggled money through criminal activities in just two years. It is because I am firm and tell all enforcement agencies there should be no compromise.
“My policy is ‘no to corruption’, ‘no to smuggling’, and ‘no to syndicates and cartels’. We should end their activities because they are stealing from the people,” he said at a meeting with students of Universiti Teknologi Petronas here, today.
Anwar also delivered a public lecture titled “Universities as Strategic Assets: Planning Malaysia’s Future through Talent, Technology and Transformation”.
Also in attendance were Perak menteri besar Saarani Mohamad, higher education minister Zambry Abd Kadir and Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Anwar said the government would not compromise with any party including syndicates and cartels that embezzled national revenue, while emphasising that the principles of justice and integrity must be upheld regardless of the position or title of the individuals involved.
“Sometimes they are Datuk, Datuk Seri, Tan Sri and even Tun. I don’t care, you can have your title but if you steal, we catch you and (if) the court finds you guilty, you will go to jail.
“That must be the principle and the young must understand and support this movement. Can I count on you to support this?” he said, which was greeted with applause from the students attending the talk.
According to the prime minister, efforts to combat corruption and strengthen clean governance are part of the government’s major mission to secure the future of the country and the young generation, as Malaysia has great potential to continue to progress.
He also called for students and youth to support the struggle to uphold justice and reject any form of racial oppression, in addition to having high human and ethical values, as well as mastering new knowledge and skills.
Anwar said the development of knowledge and technology must go hand in hand with the formation of character, morality and humanity in line with the concept of Madani Malaysia that emphasises the principles of justice, noble values and universal well-being.
