MADANI GOVERNMENT GIVES FULL SUPPORT TO MACC IN FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- The MADANI government continues to give full support to all enforcement agencies, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), in strengthening efforts to combat corruption.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, however, said such support must be accompanied by a commitment to values, good governance and consistent action.

He said that in a democratic country, criticism of government measures is normal, but what is worrying is the attitude of certain quarters who loudly oppose corruption yet at the same time continue to defend the interests of major companies with integrity issues.

Quoting surah Al-Muddathir, Anwar said the early verses of the chapter remind people to rise from negligence, not be swept away by feelings of self-sufficiency, and to continuously cleanse the heart and conduct from betrayal, envy and carelessness. 

“Sometimes we consider ourselves already perfect, accomplished, or clever. All that is negligence... rising from such negligence is crucial. If we truly believe in Allah the Almighty, then purify ourselves, purify our thinking, purify our hearts,” he said in his speech at the International Anti-Corruption Day 2025 celebration here today.

Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.

Anwar said the celebration is not merely an annual event but a platform to renew resolve in the fight against corruption.

In the context of national administration, the Prime Minister said no reform can be achieved without genuine values, whether in integrity, the economy or the justice system.

“Good governance, stronger integrity, a fairer economy — none of these can happen if the values are not nurtured and practised,” he said, while calling for a national culture that firmly rejects corruption to be strengthened with greater determination.

He also reminded that anti-corruption efforts since the time of Prophet Muhammad emphasised character-building and moral preparation before any struggle or leadership began, giving rise to a generation of strong integrity known as ‘jilun quraniyun farid’.

The Prime Minister also criticised the perverse culture in society where those giving bribes are lauded as so-called fighters, while such values and behaviour clearly harm the nation.

On recent enforcement actions, Anwar said the government continues to strengthen cross-agency collaboration, including with the MACC, Inland Revenue Board, Bank Negara, Royal Malaysia Police, and Royal Malaysian Customs Department, to ensure that strict action against corruption and smuggling is implemented more comprehensively.

He said coordination and joint operations over the past two years have successfully prevented RM15.5 billion of funds from falling into the hands of those who misappropriate them.

“Think about it — where would that money have gone if we had not acted? Straight into the pockets of the corrupt. Why was it allowed to go on for so long? Why was there no action before? These are questions that should strike at our conscience,” he said.

Anwar also expressed his appreciation to enforcement teams who courageously confronted large-scale smuggling cartels and syndicates, despite their efforts often being questioned by some in the past.

“Breaking the walls of a cartel is not easy. We are beginning to show results, and I salute all enforcement agencies,” he said.

Anwar emphasised the need to cultivate a culture of good conduct across all government agencies, saying this would be key to ensuring Malaysia continues to progress as a clean and integrity-driven nation.

-- BERNAMA