THE warning by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim that corruption cases uncovered so far represent only “a small fraction of a mountain” must serve as a serious wake-up call to all parties, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has said, cautioning that graft can spread across departments and institutions if left unchecked.
Fadillah said he fully supported Sultan Ibrahim’s call for the public to act as the eyes and ears of the nation, alongside the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) carrying out investigations that are swift, firm and comprehensive.
He said equal attention must be given to providing experienced judges and special court tracks so that corruption cases can be resolved without delay.
“I support His Majesty’s firmness that all planning and efforts to develop the country will never be perfect as long as the practice of corruption remains rampant.
“Corruption must be fought on a massive scale without regard to rank or position, and firm action must be taken,” he said in comments to BH on Wednesday. Fadillah is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation.
Earlier, in delivering the Royal Address at the opening of the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 15th Parliament, Sultan Ibrahim said he believed corruption cases in the Malaysian Armed Forces were only a small part of the overall problem.
The King said he was convinced that many more corrupt individuals remained in other departments, including the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, the Immigration Department and the Royal Malaysia Police, and that they must be pursued until completely eradicated.
Commenting further, Fadillah, who is also the Chief Whip of the Unity Government, said the King’s address should be the primary guide for members of the government and Members of Parliament in carrying out their duties, with the interests of the people and the nation placed above all else.
He said Sultan Ibrahim’s call for the country to return to the original intent behind the formation of Malaysia under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, namely unity, mutual respect and close cooperation between the states and the Federal Government, must be embraced collectively.
“The rights of the states in accordance with the Constitution and the law must always be respected, without neglecting the interests of the country as a whole.
“This is the best balance for the people and the nation, respecting state rights as the core of the Federation while not allowing narrow sentiments to undermine national unity,” he said.
On modern threats to digital security, information integrity and deepfake technology, Fadillah said more effective measures must be implemented to address serious crimes, extremism and issues involving religion, race and the royal institution, in order to preserve inter-communal harmony and safeguard national sovereignty. - January 19, 2026
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