KUALA LUMPUR: "I will do my job regardless of whether I have the general support or not," Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated firmly on his commitment to reforms and fighting corruption.
"That is my duty, and I will perform to the utmost of my ability to ensure that we get rid of corruption that has been endemic in this country," he declared during his speech at the National Journalists Day (Hawana) 2025 at WTC Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (June 14).
Anwar emphasized that his intention is not to incarcerate people but to recoup money squandered through corruption and use it for the betterment of the people.
He highlighted that in a tradition where corruption was endemic and systemic, his government has initiated reforms, including proper tender and award of projects and enacting new legislation, such as the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act.
“It sounds simple, to most of you, but it is not easy. Many are not comfortable. Those who are used to the old ways," he said.
"When we have taken action against those corrupt leaders, past or present leaders, businessmen, corporate leaders who have squandered millions of ringgit, I have not seen that sort of anger and support that we should have. But it does not matter," he said.
Touching on press freedom, he said this was one of the pillars of democracy.
Citing American philosopher Noam Chomsky he said there are some challenges in the form of manufacturing consent, whereby the tools of power are used to create a narrative.
"Journalists and media leaders have to ensure that while we reject manufacturing consent, we must also reject manufacturing dissent," he said.
He said as much as one would not want the 'tyranny of the majority', where power is used to oppress, at the same time the tyranny of the minority which divides the country is not needed.
