By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, June 12 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has made it clear he is distinct from his predecessors in that he is willing to confront corruption head-on and does not shy away from challenging the interests of the affluent T20 elites.
In his special address to the Selangor state civil servants today, Anwar reiterated his commitment to not bow down to corporate interests or abuse his position to maintain power, at the expense of the people’s welfare.
He emphasised that his responsibility lies in serving the best interests of the public, prioritising their well-being over any personal or external influences.
“What sort of prime minister would I be if I could not stand up against corruption, cronyism, and corporate interests, yet I expect the ketua kampung (village chiefs) to fight these issues on my behalf?
“But then, there are those who have lost power yet still defend these practices. What sort of politics is this?
“There are even threats by certain elites, signing a proclamation. That’s up to you, but I do not care. Lawan tetap lawan (we will still keep fighting),” Anwar said, ostensibly in reference to the Malay Proclamation, a 12-point document drafted by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, uniting opposition voices against the Unity Government.
Anwar was speaking to a gathering of senior state civil servants at the Dewan Jubli Perak held at Selangor state secretariat building, here.
In his speech, Anwar also stressed that the Unity Government under his leadership has inherited a huge national debt amounting to RM1.5 trillion, by and large due to years of purported mismanagement and unchecked government spending during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Due to this, he said balancing sustainable economic growth with the social well-being of citizens has become a challenge for the government, especially considering the projected 5 per cent deficit in the federal budget for 2023.
Anwar also did not shy away from addressing his political opponents, accusing them of using racial and religious narratives to criticise the government while spreading misinformation.
“The previous government often said it’s okay if we don’t have enough money, we can always borrow. The question is, who is going to pay these debts?
“So, should we continue this sort of behaviour or policies? There are those who are already complacent with their fortunes, making millions while engaging in corrupt behaviour. Why would they change?
“We need to change for the better. Being the change is demanded by our country, culture, and religion,” he said.
