No room for ‘questionable procurements’, civil servants told

PUTRAJAYA: Questionable procurements and approvals without tendering must no longer be practised in order not to give any room for leakages and corruption to take place, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“We cannot allow all these leakages and corruption to happen again. We must stop it at all levels,” he said after a session with staff of the Prime Minister’s Department here yesterday.

Anwar said he remained firm in his belief that power and position must only be used to benefit the masses and not enrich family members or cronies, adding that those who knew him when he was Finance Minister would attest to this.

“I have forbidden my family and close friends to be given importance or priority in any approval for government projects,” he said.

Anwar said while the “damage” experienced by the country was not due to civil servants, it was important that they uphold high work standards and integrity.

He said he felt disheartened over negative comments and opinions against the public service, as many had actually shown extraordinary dedication to their work, which had gone unnoticed.

Anwar gave examples of those who had worked until the early hours of the morning to prepare the Budget.

“Just recently, I told the Chief Secretary of the Government that I would like to meet with the core team to discuss the cost of living and prices of goods. It was a long weekend, but the meeting was convened nonetheless.

“I was impressed by how fully prepared they came, complete with ideas and proposals.

“We must not allow a small faction of people who have tarnished the image of the service to ruin the integrity, strength and determination of the rest holding public office,” said Anwar.