Enforcement agencies should act regardless of position, ideology, says PM

Enforcement agencies should take immediate action over irregularities at various levels regardless of position or ideology, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said efforts to correct irregularities, such as the looting of finances, had always received extraordinary opposition from various quarters.

"There is the use of race in the name of Malays, there is the use of Islam, and without investigating, without listening to reports from the investigators of the enforcement agencies, they say this is political persecution and so on.

"We take action based on facts and laws... not to manipulate," he said at an assembly of finance ministry staff in Putrajaya today.

Anwar previously said that his government does not interfere in the affairs of investigative and enforcement bodies including the investigation conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission against Bersatu.

Investigative and enforcement bodies as well as the judiciary are free to conduct their investigations, said Anwar.

Meanwhile, Anwar said all parties need to be determined to bring about change to take the country in a better direction despite receiving strong objections from the wealthy and powerful with high titles.

"If we don't, it's a big risk because we're facing very rich and powerful persons with high titles, Datuk Seri, Tan Sri, and Tun... if there is determination to bring change, God willing, we can do it," he said.

Anwar said he did not want the country to become embroiled again in corruption or abuse of power, but to instead focus on practising good governance.

He said the Cabinet members in the coalition government were also determined not to allow unhealthy practices and cultures to continue.
 
"Thus, approving contracts and projects that do not comply with the rules in terms of good governance is no longer applicable.

"Now it is up to the director-generals, department heads and ministry leadership to ensure that this does not happen at any level," he said.

Asked if the special advisory body to the finance minister had been given a specific task, Anwar said its chairman Mohd Hassan Marican would announce the measures to be taken to drive the country's economy.

"Hassan will announce... I discussed with him yesterday," he said when met by reporters after the assembly.

Yesterday, Anwar announced the appointment of Hassan, who is adviser to Petronas, to lead the special advisory body.

Anwar said the group consisting of professionals and economic experts would be responsible for helping to advise him as finance minister.

The other four members of the panel are FVSB Sdn Bhd executive chairman Ahmad Fuad Md Ali, Sunway University economics professor Yeah Kim Leng, Universiti Malaya economics professor Rajah Rasiah and Sarawak Energy Bhd chairman Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi.