MAHATHIR CAN SAY ‘NEVER AGAIN’ TO CORRUPTION – YET MALAYS ARE SAYING ‘YES AGAIN’ TO NAJIB

MALAYSIA must ensure that past corrupt practices that have marred its reputation are never repeated again, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“Never again,” said the prime minister as he launched Pakatan Harapan’s five-year plan to tackle corruption at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre today.

“This government was elected because Malaysians could not accept corrupt practices that would destroy the country.

“Malaysians collectively used their power to reject the previous government and this is a stern statement that corrupt practices by government leaders and civil service are unacceptable,” he said at the launch of the National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP).

The plan contains six strategies with 115 initiatives to curb corruption.

In a symbolic gesture, Dr Mahathir presented the plan to several ministers – Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng and Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali.

Copies of NACP were also given to PKR president and prime-minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim and Chief Secretary Dr Ismail Abu Bakar and representatives of civil societies, such as C4’s Cynthia Gabriel.

Also included were Barisan Nasional acting chairman and Umno acting president Mohamad Hasan and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Dr Mahathir said PH has no choice but to make good governance and integrity its priority.

“We won the elections by promising good governance and integrity,” said the 93-year-old as he reminded the country that its ministers and MPs have already declared their assets last year.

“This is to ensure that the people know our net worth before and after we are elected into office,” he added.

NACP signals PH’s commitment to fight corruption, he said.

“This is also a strong statement by the present government that past offenders will face legal action while future offenders will face even stricter action.  

“The actions we are taking against offenders are not based on revenge or hatred but the damage it has done to the country is tremendous and nobody can be allowed to conduct corrupt practices again.”

The NACP was prepared by National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC), which is headed by former MACC chief Abu Kassim Mohamad.

– https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/