ALOR GAJAH: Efforts to eradicate corruption and reform the country continue to face resistance from those accustomed to benefiting from graft, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
This resistance to change is not confined to any particular group, he said, noting that it also comes from members of the elite and those in positions of power who have become comfortable with such practices.
Such pushback often surfaces whenever the government takes firm action against corruption or seeks to improve the public service’s performance, he told a gathering with southern zone civil servants at the Public Works Department’s Centre of Excellence for Engineering and Technology in Simpang Ampat here yesterday.
Among those present were Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Public Service director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.
Anwar said it is inaccurate to assume that resistance to reform only occurs among rural communities or those with limited educational background.
“Some people think resistance or opposition to change only happens in villages. But even among the elite, there are those who have become accustomed to corruption and commissions, and they do not want change,” he said.
The Prime Minister said such attitudes must be overcome if the nation is to continue progressing and earn greater respect internationally.
Administrative reforms, he said, require political courage, strong institutional support and the commitment of civil servants to ensure the country is governed based on integrity and good governance.
Anwar added that the government remains committed to improving public sector performance and strengthening national competitiveness through reforms aimed at building a cleaner, more efficient and accountable administration.
