CAIRO, Nov 12 — Prime Minister Datuk Anwar Ibrahim stressed that anyone involved in corruption must be prosecuted in line with the Madani Government’s policy stance.
However, Anwar said the action taken must be rooted in transparency and justice.
“If we are steadfast, if we are serious and committed in eradicating corruption that has become systemic, then we will allow the enforcement agencies to carry out their work professionally.
“We should not insist that action must be taken now or next week. If you ask me, it must be expedited, it must be transparent, it must be fair, but when? That is up to the capability (of the authorities),” he told Malaysian reporters at the end of his official visit to Egypt today.
He said this when asked to comment on media reports on the case of eight corrupt assemblymen and a whistleblower who was said to have met the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC).
Asked if he had received a letter from the whistleblower to apply for protection, Anwar said he had not, but even if he did, he would submit it to the MACC.
On protection for whistleblowers in corruption cases, Anwar said protection should not be given based on vague information.
“This is what I see in the media now. Whoever gives information, (questions arise over) why the Prime Minister does not give protection.
“I don’t know what the case is… What they do … may be clean, may be good, may not be involved, may be involved. Leave it to enforcers,” he said.
Anwar said he cannot use his position as Prime Minister to provide protection to simply anyone.
“People who provide information in a sincere manner and are not involved in corruption should be given protection. Those who are legitimate, those who are not involved in corruption; our policy is to give them protection,” he said.
— Bernama
