KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim addressed the nation tonight, stressing the urgent need to tackle weak governance and systemic corruption before addressing the structural issues undermining Malaysia’s economic strength. He highlighted corruption as the primary cancer weakening the economy, eroding moral values, and diminishing public confidence, occurring at every level and burdening the people with unnecessary commissions.
Anwar emphasized the transition from direct negotiation in government procurement to an open tender system, which in its first year saved RM2 billion in public funds from flood mitigation projects. He also empowered enforcement agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and the National Audit Department to act firmly against corruption. The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living has launched operations to combat smuggling and cartels, aiming to control prices and reduce the cost of living.
