Malaysia

Anwar loses patience, gives top enforcement officials a week to act

Anwar gave the agency's top officers a week to assess their respective capabilities and whether they are willing to shoulder responsibility or hand over their positions to other officers.

Updated 8 months ago · Published on 28 Jan 2026 4:28PM

Anwar loses patience, gives top enforcement officials a week to act
"I have reached a point where I have lost patience. How can this country allow blatant smuggling?" he said. - January 28, 2026

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim admitted that he has lost patience with the ongoing weaknesses in law enforcement, especially involving financial crimes, smuggling and illegal activities that are still happening openly in the country.

Speaking at the Joint Mandate Ceremony with the heads of the Departments and Enforcement Agencies Related to Financial Crimes, he gave the agency's top officers a week to assess their respective capabilities and whether they are willing to shoulder responsibility or hand over their positions to other officers.

"I have reached a point where I have lost patience. How can this country allow blatant smuggling?" he said.

Anwar said it is important for all relevant enforcement agencies and departments to work as a team and ensure that the nation's borders are protected from smuggling.

"How can our borders be so porous? Have our officers forgotten the meaning of truth and fairness?

"Inform us if you are not yet ready to take bold action, and make way for others," he said.

Anwar said it is unacceptable for enforcement officers to be so accepting of wrongdoings.

He added that he has reached a point of losing patience and believes there are still weaknesses and gaps that must be addressed to protect the country. – January 28, 2026

Related News

Malaysia / 3d

Haze: Details of Malaysia’s aid to Indonesia to be finalised this Monday – Fahmi

Malaysia / 1mth

UMNO-PAS relations. Are things as rosy as it seems?

Malaysia / 1mth

Malaysia needs to master its own technology - PM Anwar

Malaysia / 1mth

Penang CM defends move by housing board, says enforcement is last resort

Malaysia / 1mth

Guan Eng calls for action against Zahid for overspent allocations

Malaysia / 1mth

Anwar: Children’s smiles, dreams are Malaysia’s future (video)

Spotlight

Malaysia

Papagomo acquitted for second time in sedition case over government, Israel claims

Malaysia

ECRL fares start at RM60, with 50% discounts for children, seniors and OKU

Malaysia

DKU seeks court action against Ismail, 16 others over Negeri Sembilan royal dispute

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Kampung Manis: Dreams of 227 families to own replacement homes draw closer

Malaysia

Fadhlina takes legal action over video of 2023 Parliament speech

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Civil servants urged to turn Selangor Sultan’s anti-graft message into action

Malaysia

Animal welfare group urges probe into alleged sexual abuse of cat in viral video

Malaysia

Macron appeals for calm after France riots: 2,400 arrested, nearly 1,000 officers injured

Malaysia

Malaysia renews offer to help Indonesia fight fires

You may be interested

Malaysia

M40 cost-of-living aid, online safety among key questions in Parliament

Malaysia

Social media users defend UM student amid backlash over Najib fundraiser

Malaysia

STR and SARA aid: RM11b disbursed as monthly assistance records 99.7% utilisation

Malaysia

Floods displace residents in Perak and Kedah, while 19 homes are hit in Pahang

Malaysia

1MDB gets second chance to challenge US$3.78b judgment against Jho Low

Malaysia

MCMC warns cyberbullies, AI disinformation offenders as online safety comes under scrutiny

Malaysia

Malaysia must win trust of both sides to move Southern Thailand peace process forward

Malaysia

Macron appeals for calm after France riots: 2,400 arrested, nearly 1,000 officers injured