[UPDATED] Investigate PKR if necessary, Anwar tells anti-graft agencies 

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Tambun-PH) has no qualms with his party PKR being investigated by anti-graft authorities if it is found to be involved in power abuse or misappropriation of funds. 

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Anwar said that he has instructed various bodies, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), to conduct their duties as they see fit, even if PKR leaders are the ones facing corruption accusations. 

“During a meeting this morning with all these (anti-corruption) bodies, I told them that I do not care which parties (the accused) are from. 

“Even if they are from PKR itself, I cannot guarantee that the party is 100% clean (of misdeeds). 

“(Opposition parties) sometimes say that they are all clean (of graft), but this has been proven to be false,” he said, ostensibly referring to Perikatan Nasional component Bersatu being investigated by MACC under money-laundering laws.

Anwar said this when responding to a supplementary question by Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PN) during Minister’s Question Time in the lower House on whether the appointment of those implicated in ongoing court cases will affect the Malaysia Madani agenda touted by Anwar.

In response, Anwar admitted that while public perception of the concept might be influenced by the appointment of Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Bagan Datuk-BN) as deputy prime minister, this does not mean that he will ease up on combating corruption issues in the nation.

“I can only give my assurance that (Zahid’s appointment) will not affect the principles of the Madani concept.

“If I appear to be stern on matters relating to corruption and funds misappropriation, I will not apologise. It’s nothing personal, although I am aware that some people criticise me (by saying) that I am purposely looking for faults,” he said.

Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, is facing 47 graft charges for criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving funds from the Yayasan Akalbudi foundation.  

In standing by his decision to “not punish before the court process has taken its course,” Anwar revealed to the House an instance of Zahid apparently carrying out his responsibilities according to standards set by the unity government.

“Since (Zahid) was made deputy prime minister, all his work has aligned with government principles.

“For example, a case was brought to him (by) government-linked companies (GLCs) under him seeking to undertake several immediate decisions against the open tender process.

“Zahid wrote back to them telling them to abide by the prime minister and cabinet’s order to follow the tender process. This is the first time I am mentioning this, I did not tell him beforehand that I would be sharing this today,” Anwar said.

Anwar had previously said that under his leadership, the government will no longer approve procurements without a tender. – The Vibes, February 21, 2023