PM seeks time to prove good governance, eliminate corruption

BUKIT MERTAJAM - The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has asked the people for time to prove good governance as well as to eliminate the corruption in the administration.

He said the government needs to correct many frauds, abuse of power which robbed the country's revenue as well as corrupt practices that had been plaguing the country's administration.

Anwar said corruption did not only involve certain individuals but also a system.

"Give the government a few years to prove good and clean administration in addition to abolishing the corrupt practices that had been plauging the country all this while.

"I admit that it's not easy to do all of this.

"This is because corruption has been long prevalent in the administration of all levels," he said during Prime Minister Mandate Ceremony to Federal and Penang state civil servants at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Penang branch, here, today.

He said the country's revenue could increase if corruption practices were successfully eliminated and this allows the government to redistribute the money to the people.

"Our country is no longer famous for its racial diversity or good economic performance but due to 1MDB scandal.

"I had opened (the government) documents for several decisions made in the past two years and it was indeed filled with fraud and the greed of leaders..

"Doesn't matter if they (the leaders) are Chinese or Malay or from whichever party, I had told MACC to act professionally with the right data and facts. If there is a case, then the Attorney-General should take prosecution action so it will become a lesson," he said.

Meanwhile, Anwar also stressed the importance of the federal and Penang government political stability, in addition as preparation for the state election later.

"It is important for the federal and state governments to work together as one team to face the state election. The people need to understand why the state government that will cooperate with the federal government needs to be defended.

"The people must understand our need to defend Penang state government and to ensure it is strong so it can help us further strengthen the Unity Government at the central government level," he said.