Ramasamy snubs PMX’s RM15.5b graft proceeds recovery as “hollow victory, selective war”

 

I MUST thank Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his Madani government’s success in recovering RM15.5 bil in corruption money over the past two years.

In Anwar’s own words, this achievement stems from his commitment and firmness in eradicating corruption.

However, he fails to acknowledge a crucial fact – had his government pursued not only his political enemies but also his close associates, the recovered amount could have been far greater. It might well have surpassed the RM20 bil mark or more.

Anwar’s approach to corruption remains deeply selective. When it involves his political rivals, the numbers are highlighted in billions.

Yet, when corruption implicates his close allies or members of the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led coalition, even cases involving millions are conveniently ignored.

The mining scandal in Sabah – allegedly involving figures within the ruling state coalition – is a telling example.

Don’t deserve credit

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) muted response raises serious questions about the Madani government’s priorities and the integrity of its anti-corruption agenda.

As long as Anwar applies a selective lens to corruption, it is difficult to genuinely credit him for any success in combating it.

Worse still, a dangerous precedent is emerging: individuals who return illicit gains appear to escape prosecution. This practice reduces corruption to a mere financial transaction – as though returning stolen money absolves the crime.

Editor’s Note: The government had on Oct 1 successfully forfeited over RM169 mil in cash allegedly belonging to former PM Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakobn as he and his former political secretary Datuk Mohammad Anuar Mohd Yunus did not intend to challenge the prosecution’s application for the forfeiture.

Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge Suzana Hussin made the order of forfeiture after allowing the application by the government.

Earlier, DPP Mahadi Abdul Jumaat informed the court that no third party has come forward to claim the assets or challenge the forfeiture following a federal gazette that was published on Sept 22.

Such leniency undermines the rule of law and sends a troubling message – that corruption is tolerable so long as one can afford to pay it back. 

Former DAP stalwart and Penang deputy chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT

- Focus Malaysia.