PM orders probe into company over questions about governance
KLANG: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has ordered an investigation into a company under Khazanah Nasional following concerns over its governance, saying no entity should be exempt from scrutiny.
The Prime Minister, who is also Khazanah chairman, said the company was established in 2012 and that the matter had been raised during a meeting earlier.
“In Khazanah, there is apparently a company which has raised questions about governance.
“I said it does not matter even though the chairman (of Khazanah) is the Prime Minister. If there are violations, investigate,” he said when officiating the Himpunan Anak Muda Kebangsaan Antarabangsa 2026.
Anwar said the board had decided to investigate all aspects of the matter to ensure that any governance issue was addressed.
“Let us investigate whatever needs to be investigated so that we can clean this up,” he added.
The Prime Minister said the investigation was important to address decisions made in the past that could still affect the country today.
“It is not about being vindictive towards people from the past. The problem is that we are still paying for it now,” he said.
Anwar said the issue of governance goes beyond individual companies, adding that public institutions and government-linked entities must be managed responsibly.
He cited past controversies involving institutions such as Tabung Haji and Felda as examples of how poor governance could continue to have financial consequences years later.
“This is not about politics. This is about morality, values and the future of the nation,” he said.
The Prime Minister said investigations should be allowed to proceed through the proper channels, while any prosecution or punishment should be determined by the relevant authorities and courts.
In the same session, Anwar said the government would table a Bill to repeal the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) in Parliament this year, giving students greater room to think, debate and express their views responsibly.
He said students should be trusted as adults and allowed to make mistakes while being guided and educated.
“Give these young people space. They are already adults and mature. Will mistakes not happen? Of course, mistakes will happen, but educate and advise them,” he said.
Anwar said existing criminal laws were sufficient to deal with wrongdoing and questioned the need for additional laws specifically to regulate university students.
“Yesterday (Wednesday), at the Cabinet meeting, I said I want to abolish it entirely,” he said.
He said the repeal would not affect the administration and management of universities, including the powers of deans, senates and boards of studies.
Anwar also reminded young people that they should not see themselves merely as future leaders, but as those who already had a role in shaping the country.
He, however, said such participation should be carried out with courtesy and respect, stressing that disagreement was acceptable as long as it was guided by proper conduct.
