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PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to eliminate corruption and abuse of power across all levels of government, stating that a full clean-up — particularly involving high-profile offenders or "sharks" — could be achieved within the next two to three years.
Speaking at the Forum Ilmuwan Malaysia MADANI Series 8 held at the Malaysian Institute of Integrity on Tuesday, Anwar said the government would pursue those implicated in corruption regardless of their status, including ministers, top civil servants or retirees.
“If possible, within two or three years, we clean up this mess. The message is clear. Whether you are a minister, secretary-general or director-general, if we see wrongdoing, we will come after you. If not today, then tomorrow. If not tomorrow, then next year. Even if you are retired, if there is proof that you abused your position while in power, we will find you,” he said.
The Prime Minister stressed that integrity must be restored at the highest levels of government, and that no immunity would be granted to those who misused public office.
Anwar acknowledged the particular challenges in tackling grand corruption, noting that such cases were “far more difficult” than lower-level offences due to the influence and resources of elite offenders, including their connections to political leadership and the media.
Nonetheless, he assured that enforcement would not be limited to “sharks”, as efforts to address corruption among lower-ranking offenders — often referred to as “small fry” — would continue in tandem.
“My priority for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is to go after the sharks first. But that does not mean we will let the small fry roam free until they become too large,” Bernama cited hims saying.
Anwar also criticised certain Members of Parliament who, despite overwhelming evidence of illicit wealth, remained silent or even defended those accused of graft. He described this as a form of political hypocrisy.
“My experience of being imprisoned, beaten, humiliated — those are not my concern. I can forgive that. But stealing billions from the country — that, honestly, is hypocrisy that cannot be forgiven,” he said.
He added that while it was not his role to prosecute or convict, it was his duty to ensure stolen public funds are returned.
“If there is evidence, let the MACC investigate and the courts decide. That is not my job. My job is to make sure the billions in illicit wealth are returned to the people,” he said.
Anwar reiterated that institutional reform must not be piecemeal. He emphasised the need for value-driven, knowledge-based public discourse to foster a leadership culture rooted in accountability and integrity.
The forum, themed “Integrity and National Leadership: Commitment to Holistic and Systemic Reform”, was also attended by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Institute of Integrity Datuk Ahmad Ramdzan Daud, and Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Embong of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, the forum provided a platform for dialogue on governance, leadership, and strategies for institutional reform — part of the broader *Malaysia MADANI* agenda, which aims to elevate the role of knowledge and public engagement in national policymaking. - October 1, 2025