KLANG, Jan 20 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is determined to seek out the truth on the issue related to the theft of national funds and the people’s money.
As such, he urged the public to support the government’s efforts to investigate top individuals, including those with the title of Tun, in connection with the misappropriation of government funds.
“We will go after the crooks, I do not care… When we want to take action (against these individuals), the people get angry, saying that this Prime Minister is too harsh.
“For me, this is strange; you should support it (investigations) It is not easy, you know, to investigate a Tun.
“Investigating a village chief is easy; investigating a school teacher is even easier. I want to investigate the big shots who steal big money….think it is easy?
“It is not. We want to protect this country; do not let them steal the people’s wealth,” Anwar said during the National Ponggal Festival 2024 celebration at the Klang Municipal Council Square @ Padang Chetty tonight.
On Wednesday (January 17), the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confirmed it had taken statements from a former prime minister’s son, believed to be related to his business dealings in the late 1990s.
Prior to that, Tun Daim Zainuddin’s wife Toh Puan Nai’mah Abdul Khalid and their two children were at the MACC headquarters to assist in an investigation believed to be related to the former finance minister and a businessman.
In December last year, MACC seized Menara Ilham in Kuala Lumpur, believed to be connected to a case involving the misappropriation of over RM2.3 billion in state funds, implicating a corporate figure and a former senior minister.
Meanwhile, Anwar reminded Indian community leaders not to be carried away by extreme sentiments which would not benefit the nation.
He said all races are now demanding the prompt resolution of issues, and the government will use the just and fair Madani concept for the benefit of all parties.
“To address the issues faced by the Indian community, we not only allocated RM100 million through the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra), but we also address them through other programmes such as (upgrading) school toilets, (eradicating) hardcore poverty, civil servants’ homes, and RM30 million through the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (Tekun).”
“I have also asked all ministries, including the Finance Ministry, the Human Resources Ministry and the National Unity Ministry, to identify the issues faced by the people regardless of race,” Anwar said.
— Bernama
