Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has expressed scepticism regarding the effectiveness of the newly launched National Anti-Corruption Strategies 2024-2028.
Taking his concerns to X, Zaid highlighted his doubts about the plan’s ability to combat corruption significantly, drawing on past governmental experiences.
While the new administration was making the right noises as previous administrations had, he said the public would only know how things would be different in the future if they knew how the strategies would be implemented.
Zaid emphasised the need for concrete action to back up the rhetoric of enhancing integrity and transparency, pointing out the gap between promises and implementation.
“We can expect no corruption under the Madani prime minister because we have more integrity and transparency in government administration.
“How do we measure them? How is the approval process from the Prime Minister’s Office different now than under the Umno prime ministers?” he asked.
More of the same?
In the new plan launched yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed that the plan will zero in on improving governance and integrity in the administration of public services, including government-related companies.
Citing figures from MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, who said the nation lost RM277 billion between 2018 and 2023, Zaid said on average, the country lost almost RM90 billion under Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s governments.
He questioned the effectiveness of measures to combat corruption, particularly in the absence of substantial changes such as declassifying government documents and providing public access to asset declarations by the royals, ministers, and their kin.
“Just show me the process of the billion ringgit awards given out under the current administration that does not involve the active participation of the prime minister. Then, I will believe things are different.
“If not, then it will be more of the same as the years of the Umno prime ministers,” he added.
He cryptically indicated that he expected Azam to remain as MACC chief but did not provide further details.
“Azam will get his birthday gift,” he said.
Yesterday, Azam told the media he didn’t want to speculate anything regarding this contract, which is scheduled to end on May 12.
Azam was appointed in 2020, replacing Latheefa Koya. - Mkini
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