Complaints Against Government Officials Must Be Based On Law - Anwar

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 19  (Bernama) -- Any complaint or action taken against a government official or agency must be grounded in law and backed by a thorough investigation, not driven by punishment without due process or political motives, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He emphasised that any genuine complaint should be handled in accordance with legal procedures and, where necessary, brought before the courts, as is currently the case in matters being tried by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“I do not think it is reasonable for us to simply reprimand our colleagues who have served diligently for years in various agencies, even if there are serious weaknesses. We must correct mistakes, but we should not create the perception that everything is flawed,” he said.

Anwar said this when speaking at the Prime Minister’s Meeting with the Home Ministry staff and the Ihya’ Ramadan programme at the Home Ministry here today.

Also present were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and his deputy, Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Treasury Secretary-General Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican.

Previously, Bloomberg reported that, based on corporate filings, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki owns shares in a financial services company.

However, Azam recently maintained at a press conference that his RM800,000 shareholding in a financial services company was carried out transparently and in accordance with established procedures.

Last Friday, the Prime Minister said there was no immediate need to relieve Azam of his duties, stressing instead that the matter should be referred to a special committee formed to conduct a thorough investigation.

The committee is chaired by Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar and comprises Public Service Director-General Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz, as well as Treasury Secretary-General Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican.

In his speech, Anwar reiterated that punitive action before the completion of a detailed investigation would be inappropriate.

“Those who have served and sacrificed for decades across various agencies, if their weaknesses violate principles or if the mistakes are serious, then follow the legal process. If there are substantial complaints, bring them through the proper channels.

“To punish first before investigating is not the path I choose. Let us not be hasty simply because we dislike someone or because he is not from our group.

“Nor should we act out of resentment because that person has taken action against groups associated with us. We must guard against such tendencies, especially in this month of Ramadan,” he said.

-- BERNAMA