Amid pressure to take a tougher stance against corruption, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has lamented a trend of “glorifying” those who give bribes.
He reportedly said this when commenting on his administration’s efforts to combat graft, during a speech at the Works Ministry’s monthly assembly in Kuala Lumpur today.
“We say we hate corruption, but when we take action, if it happens to our friends, we are angry.
“Not only that, but we now also have a trend, a trend to deify and glorify bribe givers. I think it is very disturbing. Because this will not be able to lift our state and country,” Bernama quoted him as saying.
The report did not mention what prompted the prime minister’s remarks.
The speech came after his former political secretary, Shamsul Iskandar Akin, claimed trial to five graft charges last week for allegedly receiving bribes from businessperson Albert Tei to help the latter secure mining exploration licences in Sabah.
Tei has been on a warpath to take down politicians whom he allegedly gave money to for mineral exploration licences in Sabah, which he did not end up getting.
The case against the duo was brought after Tei claimed he spent RM629,000 on Shamsul after being assured that the Malacca PKR Chief could aid in recouping monies channelled to politicians in Sabah.
Tei’s lawyer, Mahajoth Singh, had argued that his client should be “rewarded” for exposing corruption at great personal risk, while former MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya said prosecuting informants is not a “serious way” to tackle corruption.
However, current chief commissioner Azam Baki has stated that Tei is not considered a whistleblower eligible for protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 because he was actively involved in corrupt transactions.
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