PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang has accused the government of practising selective enforcement of the law, particularly in corruption-related cases, arguing that legal action is unevenly applied and often spares those aligned with the ruling administration. He claimed that such practices weaken public trust and turn state power into a shield for the corrupt rather than a tool for justice.
Speaking during the debate on the Motion to Honour the Royal Address in the Dewan Rakyat on January 27, 2026, the Marang Member of Parliament suggested that enforcement agencies were focusing narrowly on certain individuals while ignoring others who played key roles in corrupt dealings. According to him, action frequently targets those who accept bribes, while individuals who offer bribes or operate as intermediaries are left untouched. He argued that this approach creates the perception that loyalty to the government determines whether a person is investigated or protected.
The PAS leader also raised concerns about what he described as the misuse of lower-ranking officers as scapegoats in corruption cases. He questioned why investigations often focused on officers who executed decisions rather than those who allegedly orchestrated corrupt schemes behind the scenes. To illustrate his point, he used an analogy involving animals fighting over resources, suggesting that while smaller players are punished, larger and more powerful figures remain beyond reach.
He argued that many government projects and procurement exercises fail because of entrenched middlemen who profit from the system. According to Abdul Hadi, enforcement agencies sometimes justify their inaction against these intermediaries by claiming they are needed as witnesses or informants, a practice he said raises serious doubts about the sincerity of anti-corruption efforts.
Abdul Hadi further suggested that some officers implicated in corruption cases may have acted under pressure from more powerful figures. He questioned whether fear of influential individuals could have driven certain actions, resulting in junior officials bearing the brunt of punishment while senior figures escape accountability.
By highlighting these issues, Abdul Hadi called for a more comprehensive and impartial approach to combating corruption, one that targets all parties involved regardless of status or political alignment. He stressed that without consistent enforcement and genuine accountability, efforts to fight corruption would remain ineffective and continue to erode confidence in public institutions.
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