PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has questioned why some Malaysians continue to celebrate leaders associated with corruption and financial scandals while the government remains burdened with billions of ringgit in liabilities arising from past mismanagement.
He said public office must never be used to accumulate personal wealth and that corruption should not be excused because of a leader's political influence, ethnicity or standing.
“Those who steal, you are not angry with them… you even kiss their hands. You still accept their donations.
“So, I really wonder what is happening to our country,” he said at the Pesta Melaka Rumah Kita programme at Taman Melaka Perdana in Alor Gajah last night.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, cited the continuing financial obligations involving the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda), 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and Lembaga Tabung Haji, saying the government had to allocate substantial sums to address their past financial problems.
“Just imagine, I am now the Finance Minister and Prime Minister. Every year, RM1 billion to write off Felda's debt. RM2 billion, RM3 billion to settle 1MDB's debt. Tabung Haji requires another RM1 billion,” he said.
He stressed that the fight against corruption must be pursued without favour, regardless of a person's political connections, race or position.
Leaders entrusted with public office, he said, should prioritise the welfare of the people, particularly those struggling with the rising cost of living, rather than exploit their positions for personal gain.
On a separate issue, Anwar defended his decision to refer former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's pardon application to the Pardons Board in 2023, saying every prisoner was constitutionally entitled to seek royal clemency.
He said the decision was not special treatment for Najib, as hundreds of other prisoners had also been allowed to submit applications for consideration by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“As the Prime Minister, I cannot bear to be accused of victimising anyone under our country's Constitution. Every prisoner has the right to appeal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for consideration.
“If I do not allow it, I deny that person's right. What right? The right to have the appeal considered by the Pardons Board under His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. That is why I took that action,” he said.
Anwar said the applications were supported by relevant documentation, including medical reports, assessments from the Prisons Department and records of good behaviour.
Addressing the controversy over Najib's house arrest, he said he had previously expressed the view that society might not be ready to accept such an arrangement while the government was stepping up efforts to combat corruption.
However, he said the decision was made at the discretion and with the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and the government had to comply.
“The Prime Minister's power is to bring the matter forward. But on this issue, our friends are criticising me. We comply because that is the King's power, not the Prime Minister's,” he said.
He also maintained that the Attorney-General's move to seek confirmation from the judge who delivered the relevant ruling was part of the legal process and did not constitute defiance of a royal decree.
Anwar urged young people not to allow political controversies to overshadow the broader responsibility of rejecting corruption, opposing abuse of power and protecting the interests of ordinary Malaysians, particularly low-income groups.
Anwar Ranks 13th Among World's 500 Most Influential Muslims
Meanwhile, Anwar was ranked 13th among the world's 500 most influential Muslims in the 2027 edition of The Muslim 500: The World's 500 Most Influential Muslims.
The 18th annual publication by the Jordan-based Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISSC) highlighted his leadership of Malaysia's Unity Government since November 2022 and his economic transformation agenda under the Malaysia MADANI framework.
It cited artificial intelligence, semiconductors, data centres, cloud computing and the energy transition as key priorities in the government's strategy to strengthen the economy.
“In June 2026, Anwar highlighted the energy transition as a central pillar of Malaysia's development agenda, directly linking the country's future energy needs to the rapid expansion of high-technology infrastructure sectors,” the report said.
The publication also recognised his diplomatic role in easing tensions between Thailand and Cambodia following border clashes in July 2025, when he hosted talks between the two countries' leaders in Putrajaya as Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN chairman, helping secure a ceasefire agreement. - November 13, 2026
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