BUKIT MERTAJAM: Politics should be about serving the people, not for personal gain, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said those entering politics must do so to serve the people.
"Serve your people with integrity and rid the country of corruption and abuse of power.
"This country has been doing well and is relatively peaceful but we are marred by serious scandals which are shameful.
"We have had a number of scandals.
"The 1MDB, known throughout the world. Malaysia is afflicted by a very strange, serious disease of endemic corruption.
"Now we are talking about Tabung Haji, an institution to protect Muslim pilgrims but due to abuse and corruption, the country lost RM12bil.
"Then we have Felda where we lost RM10bil," he said during a meet-and-greet session held at the Teachers Education Institute (IPG) Tuanku Bainun campus in Bukit Mertajam on Friday (Aug 28).
Anwar was responding to a question posed by a Form Six student on advice for young students who aspire to be in politics.
He said there have been many politicians trying to defend the losses.
"How can one maintain and then inculcate in the young values of love for learning and knowledge, and values of integrity, rejection of corruption and abuse of power, when we have politicians defending the corrupt.
"It is mind boggling and unacceptable," he said.
Anwar said the challenge is to find people with strong values and education.
"He said political leaders should be educated based on facts and knowledge.
"There must be courage of conviction.
"I need smart people, people with a kind heart, people who are willing to serve with sincerity and knowledge to defend the nation.
"We need more people like that because if we leave politics to those who want to gain something from it, the ones who will rule will be selfish and corrupt," he said.
