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PRIME MINISTER Anwar Ibrahim has issued a stern warning that any attempt to misappropriate government funds will be met with decisive legal action, declaring that Malaysia must not return to an era in which leaders were accused of enriching themselves at public expense.
Speaking at the Santuni MADANI and Ihya’ Ramadhan event with residents of Padang Rengas at Arena Kampung Chuar, Anwar said he would not allow public money to be plundered under his administration.
“I will not allow anyone to use government money to plunder… I will not permit it. If you try, if you dare, just see what happens… Go on, do it. We will arrest you, bring you to court and you can stay in Sungai Buloh prison.
“What cannot be disputed is that we do not steal money. We do not want Malaysia to return to a time when leaders were constantly accused of enriching themselves…. I do not want to hear that anymore.
“As long as I have the mandate, do not try. People may criticise as they wish, that is their right, but I ask parents, brothers and sisters to trust that we will ensure this country remains on the right path,” he said.
Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, said the funds under government stewardship were a trust to be used responsibly, particularly to uplift the poor and support religious and educational institutions.
“Say what you like, I do not seek revenge against anyone. If I wanted to be vengeful or angry, tell me why… I was once detained in Kamunting, and now by God’s will, praise be to Him, I have become Prime Minister, so let us do the work of helping the poor.
“The funds we have are a trust. Help as much as possible, including for Islam…. Never before has such an allocation been made for Islamic education as now, with preaching and Islamic activities receiving up to RM2.6 billion for JAKIM (the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) and related activities.
“Remember in 2003, the Prime Minister at the time stopped all allocations for people’s religious schools. I became Prime Minister in November 2023, and in January I announced the restoration of allocations for religious schools.
“Last year we increased it further, and recently I announced another RM200 million to repair all religious schools, especially community religious schools in our country,” he said.
During the event, Anwar announced an initial allocation of RM2 million for additional infrastructure development at Masjid Al-Muttaqin in Padang Rengas. Contributions were also presented to 28 mosques in the Padang Rengas parliamentary constituency totalling RM140,000, RM200,000 to Sekolah Agama Bantuan Kerajaan Maahad Yahyawiah, and RM60,000 for the Dapur MADANI initiative.
The Prime Minister also urged Malaysians to reject racial hatred and avoid stirring tensions that could distract from serving the people.
“Do not create problems among ourselves, do not hate others… Do not hate the Chinese, do not hate the Indians, quarrelling all the time but doing no work.
“Recently, people raised the issue of a temple. I stress that temples must follow the rules. Today even the project at Masjid Al-Muttaqin required an application and adherence to regulations, not simply doing as one pleases.
“We follow the rules, so others must follow them as well. That is all we ask. Do not quarrel…. Do not let us become divided; instead, let us carry things out in the best possible way,” he said.
Anwar reiterated that while criticism was inevitable, his administration would remain focused on ensuring integrity in governance and maintaining unity in a multi-ethnic society. - February 15, 2025
