PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today called on enforcement agencies to act decisively against corruption and criminal activity, stressing that all action must adhere strictly to legal procedures.
Speaking at the Prime Minister’s Department Monthly Assembly, Anwar warned that reforms must be implemented while officials remain in office, rather than delayed until after retirement.
“Agencies such as the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Inland Revenue Board (IRB) and border authorities must act decisively against criminals and corrupt individuals. At the same time, they must respect legal procedures and comply with regulations,” he said.
Highlighting the broader scope of accountability, the Prime Minister emphasised, “Previously, we thought about politicians; now it includes civil servants, military officers and police, without exception.”
His comments come amid renewed calls for the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), following criticism that the current Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) lack enforcement authority, particularly after the fatal shooting of three suspects in Durian Tunggal, Melaka.
Separately, Anwar directed all ministries and government departments to accelerate the shift to online processes as part of a wider bureaucratic reform drive.
Artificial intelligence could be harnessed to draft official correspondence, to be refined by officers, with the aim of improving service quality, saving time, and cutting red tape.
“I therefore urge all ministry secretaries-general and director-generals to ensure that all processes are conducted online, unless bound by legal requirements,” he said.
The Prime Minister also stressed that improvements in public service delivery must complement the enhanced Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), noting that the government has allocated an additional RM18 billion to support this initiative.
“The people have every right to demand more efficient and faster service. Excessive waiting times, repetitive forms, and moving between departments for a single matter — all these bureaucratic hurdles must be corrected,” he added.
The assembly was attended by Cabinet ministers, including Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Transport Minister Anthony Loke, alongside Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz. - January 5, 2025
