PUTRAJAYA: Action will be taken against any individuals, be it the prime minister or a minister, if they misappropriate public funds, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"Whether you are the prime minister, finance minister or a minister, remember if you steal the country’s money or you cart away the country’s wealth, we have to take stern action (against you) to save the country," he said while launching the national Central Database Hub (Padu) on Tuesday (Jan 2).
The Prime Minister lauded the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for acting against those who were found to be corrupt, regardless of their position and status.
"Alhamdullilah, we have shown our determination, which rarely happens in most countries, what more developing countries.
"(We have taken) action against leaders who were deemed as free from any form of action or investigation," he added.
On Dec 23, Anwar said the MACC should be allowed to probe anyone including Tuns and Tan Sris regardless of their position.
Otherwise, the commission would be criticised for allegedly targeting only "small fish" over corruption offences, he added.
Anwar also lauded the police on the action taken against drug trafficking.
He said in the past, there have been stories of "sharks" escaping action.
"Now our focus will be on the sharks so that it will be a reminder to the small fish," he said.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said on Dec 9, that the police were shifting their investigations to crack down on drug-ring leaders apart from drug dealing.
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