FORMER MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker has raised serious concerns over a claim that unnamed parties allegedly offered RM50 million to influence the government’s Tobacco Generational End Game (GEG) policy.
Ti questioned why no report was lodged with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM) or the police despite the gravity of the allegation.
In a statement, Ti described as “deeply troubling” an admission by an aide to former Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa that no formal complaint was made because reporting the matter was considered a “waste of time.”
“Rejecting a bribe offer may be commendable but failing to report an alleged attempt to corrupt public policy amounts to concealing a potential crime,” he wrote on Facebook.
He stressed that under Malaysian law, any attempt to offer bribes—especially to influence national health policy—constitutes a serious criminal offence involving public interest and national integrity.
Ti said the absence of a report reflects a disregard for the rule of law, a failure to honour taxpayers’ trust, and a denial of due legal process.
He warned that the message conveyed to the public is that individuals who attempt to bribe policymakers may face no consequences as long as their offers are declined.
“Corruption is not defeated by silence,” he said, adding that enforcement agencies exist precisely to investigate, expose and prosecute such acts.
Describing law enforcement as a “waste of time,” he argued, is not leadership by example but an abdication of responsibility to the rakyat.
Ti also questioned the narrative portraying Dr Zaliha as an unyielding figure of integrity, noting that she was nevertheless dropped during a Cabinet reshuffle.
He called on the Madani government to clarify the circumstances surrounding her removal, stating that the contradiction between the integrity narrative and the Cabinet decision raises legitimate public questions.
Ti outlined three immediate actions he believes must be taken. He said Dr Zaliha should lodge an official report with the SPRM and disclose the identities of those involved, including intermediaries and dates, if the allegation is genuine.
He also urged the government to initiate an independent investigation, arguing that alleged interference in a major public health bill is a national corruption issue rather than a personal anecdote.
He said the Cabinet must explain why Dr Zaliha was dropped if she was indeed beyond reproach.
He concluded that the public deserves clear answers, noting that the GEG bill was diluted, the alleged bribery attempt was never formally reported, and the minister said to be incorruptible was removed from her post.
These issues, he said, go beyond political rhetoric and strike at the heart of public health policy, Cabinet integrity and the Madani government’s anti-corruption pledge.
“Malaysians are entitled to the truth,” Ti said, “not excuses.” – December 22, 2025
