PETALING JAYA: The one-week ultimatum given by the Prime Minister to law enforcers to curb corruption marks a significant escalation in Malaysia’s anti-graft drive, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The Malaysian Integrity Institute member said the stern message from Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim signalled a move from “policy-making” to “personal accountability”.
He said by giving agency heads exactly seven days to “act or step aside”, the Prime Minister was effectively removing complacency and reintroducing responsibility.
“He is publicly stating that if illicit activities like smuggling continue, it is not just due to systemic failure but because of the consent or negligence of the people in charge.
“His specific mention of the ‘stars on their shoulders’ is a direct challenge to the prestige of high-ranking officers in the police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Customs, Immigration and others, reminding them that their titles carry a moral and legal obligation.
“This ultimatum follows several major scandals currently unfolding in January,” Lee said in a statement yesterday.
On Wednesday, Anwar issued a stern warning to enforcement officers, giving them one week to commit to an all-out fight against corruption and smuggling.
He said those unwilling to take up the challenge may request a demotion, saying it was unacceptable for senior civil servants to continue tolerating smuggling, bribery and gangsterism.
Anwar said it was important for all relevant enforcement agencies and departments to work as a team and ensure that the nation’s borders were protected from any form of smuggling.
Lee noted that the MACC arrested five directors and business owners for Lumut naval base crony company tenders hours before Anwar’s speech.
“The persistence of these cases suggests that the mid-to-high level enforcement layers have not yet fully aligned with the administration’s goals,” he added.
