KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s King, Sultan Ibrahim, has fired a warning shot at enforcement agencies, among others, as the Southeast Asian nation fights corruption from all angles.
In a statement today, Sultan Ibrahim decreed more individuals are already under close watch, as His Majesty stressed that corruption is a betrayal of public trust and will not be tolerated in the country’s administration.
“Do not think the fight against corruption is only focused on a handful of departments or those who give and receive bribes. Even those in the Royal Malaysia Police, the Immigration Department, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and many others should be cautious,” Sultan Ibrahim said.
“The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is not spared either.”
Sultan Ibrahim added that officers of all ranks, as well as middlemen and suppliers of equipment, uniforms and medical items, were within his “radar”.
“Do not think I do not know what is happening. I have my own intelligence.”
He stressed that anti-corruption efforts must go beyond rhetoric or cosmetic actions, emphasising that no one is above the law.
Sultan Ibrahim’s comments come as all eyes continue to be on the MACC and its chief commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki, following allegations of corporate mafia schemes and Azam’s alleged shareholdings.
Bersih yesterday organised a rally at the Sogo Shopping Mall. Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli was among those present.
The country was also recently shocked by corruption and abuse of power allegations implicating several former top military leaders. Following the arrests of several senior former military officers, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last month directed that all Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and police procurement decisions be temporarily frozen until procurement processes are fully complied with.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin was quoted by the media as saying there were discussions between his ministry and the Finance Ministry to ensure critical matters are attended to immediately so that MAF operations and readiness are not affected.
