KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for immediate action and clarification on a list of issues that smack of impropriety that have recently been brought to light, garnering renewed attention and concern.
He said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob should not remain silent on these urgent matters that continue to grip the country and the people, stressing that it would be contrary to the spirit of the constitution and the government’s memorandum of understanding with Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“I think if they are not addressed and corrected, then Malaysia will find it difficult to rise again with a system that is good, and has integrity and accountability,” he said.
The PH chairman said that “day by day” the country is shocked by various things that he feels are very upsetting and worrying.
These include the situation involving the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the judiciary in relation to the graft agency’s investigation of Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.
Secondly, the French courts have prosecuted defence assets company Thales for its alleged involvement in a corruption scandal related to the sale of submarines to Malaysia in 2002.
“Malaysia must seek justice on its own behalf if we are to truly fight corruption and decadence,” he said.
He noted thirdly that a court case in New York saw revelations being made on the issue of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal.
Anwar also cited the issue involving Serba Dinamik Holdings Bhd and the Securities Commission, as well as the matter surrounding the 5G network implementation in Malaysia.
There is also the concern regarding the severe fall of the Malaysian ringgit due to a loss of confidence in the government’s policies and ability to navigate the economy, he added.
“And the last is related to the actual cost of the MRT project which has now breached RM60 billion,” he said.
“Current issues related to inflation and prices of goods must also be addressed properly so that the burden on the people can be reduced.”
Anwar stressed that the current economic slump experienced in Malaysia, which is in stark contrast to the situation in neighbouring Indonesia in terms of foreign direct investment, as well as the data depicting Malaysia’s GDP, economic growth, poverty rate and unemployment must be examined for the country’s situation to be rectified and strengthened.
He urged the people to become conscious and reject lethargy while rising to demand for positive transformation of the country. – The Vibes, April 20, 2022