PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has warned against rushing for immediate reforms for fear it may only serve the purpose of a small group of “desperados.”
He warned there are leaders who are bent in sowing discord and making it difficult for his administration to carry out all the reforms.
“We need to be smart. We should not retreat from our reform agenda, but also not rush to fulfil the desires of elite groups who conceive change but do not consider the political implications, stability or whether it can sustain public support.
“There’s a disconnect, a major disconnect between the idea of immediate change and the readiness of the people,” Anwar, who is also PKR president, said in his address at the party's 25th Anniversary Convention held in Shah Alam, Selangor today.
For instance, Anwar said, his administration has been attacked for simply upholding the independence of the judiciary system, the Pardon’s Board controversy and also the law against the corrupt and wealthy individuals.
Still, he said, he was compelled to respond to the criticism hurled against his administration.
“We must never compromise on the independence of the judiciary, the strength of our enforcement agencies, whether it is the Attorney-General’s office, the MACC, the Inland Revenue Board or the police. They must act firmly without political interference.
“Since I became prime minister, there has never been a time that I had to call on the chief judge or negotiate to solve any cases. It is part of a crucial reform.
“I, too, have been attacked on the role of the Pardon’s Board, when my response was clear, it should follow the meeting of the board and the decision of the King.
"We do not erase records or decisions of the judiciary,” he said.
Anwar said there had been no government who had questioned the role of the Malay rulers since independence until now.
He said those who questioned the role of the Malay rulers have no authority to be speakers, analysts or commentators. Instead they are only making statements attacking the institutions
Anwar said there were also groups of “desparados” who had been trying to sow discord in Malaysia, but maintained his administration remains strong with the support of Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Sabah and Sarawak political fronts.
“I know there are desperados out there making noise, but I want to tell them, good luck and goodbye, it will not work,” he said.
Anwar also warned the days are numbered for the corrupt and wealthy individuals with “Tun, Tan Sri, Datuk Seri” titles but efforts to end corruption remains a challenge as it has become systemic within the government sector.
“We did not just inherit debts, deficits and leakages.
"When we took action, it was either the top was corrupt, or corruption surfaced in the Customs department, the Immigration and in the police force. Either power abuse or corruption, it has become systemic. But whose fault is it?
“This is the mistake done by previous leaders who are now criticising, making noise in parliament.
"I want to ask them why they did not make it right when they were in power. I must admit the battle against corruption is never easy,” he said.
Anwar said this was why the opposition was also relatively muted when it came to their effort to fight corruption.
“Instead, there are opposition leaders who have come to their defence. Pity them, they are old, why do you want to take revenge?
"So, even if that person is sick, are they allowed to rape, are they allowed to rob? What kind of values have you learnt?”
“I want to tell them: if you are robbing the country, whether you are sick, weak or have a Tun title, there will be no escape from the law,” Anwar added. – The Vibes, April 21, 2024.
