Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has rubbished claims by Pakatan Rakyat leaders who have called the recent criminal charges against several high-profile figures as an "election ploy"."What sandiwara (show)? If someone is also prosecuted, it's not a game anymore," he said.
Many Pakatan leaders including PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim have claimed the recent spat of corruption charges against former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and former Transport Minister Ling Liong Sik to be a "slew of good news" before calling for snap elections.
Speaking at a press conference after a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) function in Putrajaya in conjunction with the international anti-corruption day, Najib also said that the issue of corruption has long been politicised by opposition.
"They want to make this issue into a political one and they want to imply saying that we're not serious, or that we want to cover up, or that we practice selective prosecution and so on," he said.
"This has been carefully studied carefully by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption (MACC), which is an independent body... The Attorney-General has also made his decison to (charge) so let the courts decide on the process," he said.
Many Pakatan leaders including PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim have claimed the recent spat of corruption charges against former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and former Transport Minister Ling Liong Sik to be a "slew of good news" before calling for snap elections.
Speaking at a press conference after a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) function in Putrajaya in conjunction with the international anti-corruption day, Najib also said that the issue of corruption has long been politicised by opposition.
"They want to make this issue into a political one and they want to imply saying that we're not serious, or that we want to cover up, or that we practice selective prosecution and so on," he said.
He also warned for people not to speculate on the outcome.
"We cannot act brashly because there will be even bigger repercussions if we lose in court. Before (the MACC) brings a case to the court, they would have made sure that they have a strong case," he said.
'Big or small fish, no one is above the law'
In Najib's speech before witnessing the signing of a pledge to fight corruption by the business community, the premier also warned that no one is above the law when it comes to corruption. "Your position, rank and standing is no guarantee that no action will be taken against you.
"We are all just normal citizens, no one is above the law," he said.Adding that corruption is like a "cancer" which can turn a rich nation into a failed state, Najib said that the country has much to lose and a high cost to bear in administration, business and management.
"It can destroy society, weaken a country and be the downfall to civilisation if corruption is not tackled seriously," he said.
According to Transparency International's latest Corruption Perception Index, Malaysia's score had slipped from 4.5 to 4.4 this year.The country ranks at 56th place.
"We cannot act brashly because there will be even bigger repercussions if we lose in court. Before (the MACC) brings a case to the court, they would have made sure that they have a strong case," he said.
'Big or small fish, no one is above the law'
In Najib's speech before witnessing the signing of a pledge to fight corruption by the business community, the premier also warned that no one is above the law when it comes to corruption. "Your position, rank and standing is no guarantee that no action will be taken against you.
"We are all just normal citizens, no one is above the law," he said.Adding that corruption is like a "cancer" which can turn a rich nation into a failed state, Najib said that the country has much to lose and a high cost to bear in administration, business and management.
"It can destroy society, weaken a country and be the downfall to civilisation if corruption is not tackled seriously," he said.
According to Transparency International's latest Corruption Perception Index, Malaysia's score had slipped from 4.5 to 4.4 this year.The country ranks at 56th place.
Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/150367
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