YESTERDAY (Dec 9), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tweeted his support for the International Anti-Corruption Day, which is observed on Dec 9 each year, stating that the country needs to instil ideas of honesty and integrity.
Kerajaan akan terus konsisten dengan usaha memerangi rasuah. Agenda reformasi terutamanya dalam usaha mencegah rasuah tidak hanya terhad kepada penguatkuasaan. pic.twitter.com/q43SRL7Ref
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) December 9, 2022
However, after nominating two controversial figures to his Cabinet of Ministers, not all social media users were willing to give him a chance to express his desire to fight corruption.
Despite the fact that the Cabinet has been in place for a week, netizens are still outraged that Bagan Datuk MP and UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former finance minister senator Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz were chosen for two key positions in the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led government.
A Twitter user,
Physics Tutor @phys1cs_cool, answering the Prime Minister on his tweet mentioning the anti-corruption day, simply says, “I am sceptical.”
I am sceptical pic.twitter.com/4r1CPC58Am
— Physics Tutor (@phys1cs_cool) December 9, 2022
He is not alone in being wary of Anwar’s willingness to fight corruption.
To recall, Anwar’s choice of Zahid and Tengku Zafrul sparked outrage among netizens, sometimes ardent supporters of the PH, and political figures such as Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz.
Here are some valid criticisms from social media users who are sceptical that PH can fight corruption in government with Barisan Nasional (BN).
User JohnKelly @J0hNkelli says, “Timbalan awak Zahid Hamidi tu ada kes rasuah, saja bagitau mana tau lupa.
Timbalan awak Zahid Hamidi tu ada kes rasuah, saja bagitau mana tau lupa.
— JohnKelly (@J0hNkelli) December 9, 2022
The user is saying Zahid Hamidi is facing corruption charges and is only reminding the PM in case he has forgotten.
For kome @kokkulaape, Anwar has to prove that his government is not corrupt. “Please buktikan, nak tgk sangat kerajaan baru ni xde rasuah.
Please buktikan, nak tgk sangat kerajaan baru ni xde rasuah.
— kome (@kokkulaape) December 9, 2022
This user is asking Anwar to prove that his Government is clear of corruption.
Zaid Khan @zaidkhan1075, “Geli pulak dengar nak lawan rasuah.. puak PH dah tak relevan nak cerita lawan rasuah.. seperti meludah kelangit..😅”
Geli pulak dengar nak lawan rasuah.. puak PH dah tak relevan nak cerita lawan rasuah.. seperti meludah kelangit..😅
— Zaid Khan (@zaidkhan1075) December 9, 2022
This user finds it funny to hear that they want to fight corruption. PH is no longer relevant when it comes to fighting corruption. It’s like spitting on the sky.
Yet, there is also a lot of support for Anwar with some netizens showing their gratitude that Anwar will fight corruption.
In his Twitter post, Anwar said the reform agenda, especially in efforts to prevent corruption, is not only limited to enforcement.
“On the contrary, values such as integrity, morals and ethics are aspects that need to be applied in community and national life,” he said on Facebook and Twitter on Friday (Dec 9).
Anwar says by celebrating and honoring integrity, he strives to drive Malaysia towards holistic excellence by including physical, spiritual, value and identity aspects.
The United Nation (UN) has designated Dec 9 as International Anti-Corruption Day to raise public awareness. — Dec 10, 2022
Main photo credit: Sadiq Asyraf