Speaking at the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) Chinese New Year 2023 reception recently, Anwar said the real threat to the survival of Malays in the country did not come from other races but rather, a corrupt system and greedy leaders stealing from the country.
He also called out political leaders who try to appeal to voters by hijacking and distract the people from the central issues of governance in this country by painting the illusion that the positions and power base of the Malays were being challenged by other races.
For him, he said Malay survival is being threatened by a corrupt system, a greedy coterie of leaders who have been stealing public funds from this country. Not the challenge by the Malay, Chinese, Indian or the Sabah and Sarawak businessmen.
Anwar is truly well aware that there is no magic formula to banish the scourge of corruption.
It can never be entirely eliminated.
Anti-corruption efforts can only be as strong as the weakest link.
The importance of first rate investigative and prosecutorial work cannot be understated.
The prosecution i.e the Chambers of the Attorney General and the entire legal service cannot be seen to be subject to manipulation and interference.
Even though public opinion already censures and condemns corrupt persons in this country, politicians somehow are so thick in their hides that even if they are found guilty and have to serve a prison sentence, their attitudes thereafter conveyed a perception to the public that it is ok to be corrupted in this country.
Are all those surrounding and advising him, including members of the Cabinet openly supporting him earnestly and publicly?
Fighting corruption ultimately depends on the values of the present and future political leadership and the civil service.
Civil service can only be run by people who are content rather than discontent, fulfilled rather than frustrated, dedicated rather than disloyal, satisfied rather than dissatisfied, uncorrupt rather than corrupt.
Anwar should be well aware that his unity government cannot survive no matter how good his aims and intentions are, if corruption exists in its ranks and its civil service on which it depends to provide the efficient and effective administrative machinery to translate his and the Cabinet policies into action.
Anwar is also clearly aware that public confidence and trust in public institutions has been lost for the last 20 years.
Anwar has yet to show the people that they should start trusting these public institutions.
Ethical and incorruptible leadership should be a core for all members of his Cabinet and the civil service.
The new political leaders took it upon themselves to set good examples for the civil servants to follow by divesting themselves from financial and commercial ties and by working harder than their subordinates.
They were willing to submit themselves to scrutiny over their honesty and integrity, showed leadership, conviction, commitment, stamina and tenacity in fighting corruption.
In essence, each and everyone must demonstrate strong will to reject graft and political patronage.
Malaysia can only get out this endemic and survive only if ministers and senior officers are incorruptible and efficient.
Only then will people, foreigners and Malaysians invest in this country, only then will Malaysians work to improve themselves and their children through better education and further training, instead of hoping for windfalls through powerful friends and relatives or greasing contacts in the right places. Incorruptibility should and shall remain a key prerequisite of legitimacy for anyone who aspires to political relevance in this country from now on.
Make it mandatory for MACC to review the work methods and procedures of corruption prone departments and public bodies to identify administrative weaknesses in the existing systems which could facilitate corruption and malpractices and recommends remedial and prevention measures to the heads of departments concerned.
Parliament should have oversight of MACC, who presently is directly responsible to the Prime Minister. If this cannot be undertaken, at least have a constitutional provision whereby if the Prime Minister for some reason chooses not to get MACC to proceed with a prima facie case, Parliament should be allowed to direct MACC to do so.
Hence, the incorruptibility of the government is assured, as MACC can perform its function without fear or favour.
Are the commitments delivered publicly and verbally is just a 100 days political sales talk or it will be followed thoroughly?
Some pundits and politicians credited Anwar for the 1st takeoff when he was the Finance Minister in the mid 90s before he was unceremoniously bundled off.
If the same pundits and politicians wish to credit him for a 2nd take off, Anwar has a lot of work to do.
And time is definitely not on his side.
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