[UPDATED] BN was corrupt, but Perikatan no angel either: Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional (PN) should not be quick to point a finger at Barisan Nasional (BN) regarding corrupt practices as the former was involved in its fair share of power abuse, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Tambun-PH). 

Anwar pointed out that while the nation had indeed incurred monumental debts during BN’s time in federal power, the PN administration is not innocent of misdeeds. 

“There is truth in the statement that during BN’s rule, there were leakages of public funds (through) cases involving 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Bhd). 

“However, there was also a lot of damage (inflicted upon the nation) during PN’s time,” he said in response to a query by Datuk Radzi Jidin (Putrajaya-PN) on whether the prime minister would agree that the nation’s current debts can be attributed to financial scandals during BN’s time in Putrajaya. 

Anwar added that such instances of power misuse are currently being investigated by authorities such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), noting that it is also up to the attorney-general whether or not to press charges on wrongdoers. 

“If you (Radzi) are patient, there might be some good news for the people in the near future,” Anwar quipped to rounds of cheers from government MPs. 

Anwar was speaking during the Prime Minister’s Question Time, a new session introduced by his administration which will be held every Tuesday while Parliament is in session, during which he will answer three questions from ministers.

Earlier on, Anwar had stated that the government’s debts and liabilities have exceeded RM1.5 trillion or 8.2% of Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP), with 1MDB-related dues amounting to RM18.2 billion. 

“A public expenditure review will be conducted to assess the usage of public funds. (This will be done) without burdening the people, especially in education, health and basic infrastructure sectors,” he said. 

Meanwhile, when pressed by Radzi on whether the prime minister also holding the finance minister portfolio could potentially lead to power mismanagement, Anwar dismissed such claims by asserting his dedication to upholding good governance in his administration. 

“In our nation’s history, whether or not the prime minister is also the finance minister is not the problem. Instead, problems arise when (politicians) misuse their positions to rob citizens. 

“Those who are complicit in corrupt activities should feel pressured and worried (as) I will make sure to put every effort towards preventing betrayal in the form of corruption,” he said. 

Meanwhile, in a separate answer to Lo Su Fui (Tawau-GRS) on steps taken by the government through MACC to investigate allegations of corruption, Anwar reiterated that the anti-graft body’s current priority is to probe large-scale bribery scandals. 

He added that the government is also looking to strengthen the Whistleblower Protection Act to provide better safeguards for informants, with proposed amendments possibly tabled in the next parliamentary session. – The Vibes, February 14, 2023