‘Action can be taken against anyone, even the PM’

PUTRAJAYA: Action will be taken against anyone, even the Prime Minister or a Cabinet member, if they misappropriate public funds, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“Whether you are the Prime Minister, Finance Minister or a minister, 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.

He lauded the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for acting against those who were corrupt, regardless of their position and status.

“Alhamdullilah, we have shown our determination, which rarely happens in most countries, what more developing countries.”Action had been taken against leaders who were once “spared” from any form of action or investigation, the Prime Minister said at the launch of the national Central Database Hub (Padu) yesterday.

Recently, Anwar said the MACC should be allowed to probe anyone, regardless of their positions, including Tuns and Tan Sris.

Otherwise, the commission would be criticised for only targeting “small fish”, he added.

Anwar also commended the police on the action taken against drug trafficking.

Last month, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said police were shifting their investigations to crack down on drug-ring leaders, apart from drug dealing.