17-7-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Sunday that none of the ministers in the unity government has committed any financial impropriety, according to the investigations undertaken by the country’s anti-graft agency, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). Anwar stated that he had instructed the MACC to investigate all the ministers eight months ago, and there was not a single case of any minister pocketing public funds, which he called “a record in the country’s political history.” During his speech at the launch of the state election machinery in Penang, Anwar stressed the importance of cleaning up the government to prevent the country from going to the dogs.
Anwar also criticized former ministers who claim to defend the fate of Malays in Malaysia, citing their track record of corruption. “You talk about integrity, you talk about governance (but) with your track record? Let the bodies investigate,” he said, adding that billions of ringgit were wasted during their time in office. Anwar, however, did not specify the names of the former ministers.
The prime minister also called for an end to racial enmity in Malaysia, warning that continuing with the issue of the Chinese attacking the Malays and the Malays hating the Chinese could have dire consequences. He urged Malaysians to see the country as their home and work towards promoting unity and harmony.
Meanwhile, former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has been making headlines for his statements promoting Malay rights in Malaysia over the past few weeks. On July 4, Mahathir claimed that the concept of a multiracial Malaysia would erode Malay rights and make them “poor.” He also argued that promoting a multiracial Malaysia is unconstitutional, as the federal constitution never mentioned that Malaysia was multiracial. Mahathir has previously warned about the potential erosion of Malay rights under the current government and authored a Malay Proclamation to protect the interests of Malays since failing to defend his Langkawi seat during GE15. He has been questioned by police over this campaign.
In his closing speech at the Penang-level Malaysia Madani seminar on Sunday, Anwar stressed that he has never used his authority as prime minister to betray Islam and the Malays in Malaysia. He denied belittling the Malays and Islam just because he supported the incumbent Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for the chief minister position. The prime minister called for peace in the country and highlighted the significant positions held by Malays and Muslims in other states, such as the king, finance minister, chief justice, attorney-general, and Bank Negara governor.
The six state elections in Malaysia are scheduled for August 12, with Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan holding elections. The Democratic Action Party (DAP) has announced that Chow Kon Yeow will be its Penang chief minister candidate for the state polls, and Anwar has given his blessing as the chairman of Pakatan Harapan (PH), of which the DAP is a component party.
