IN an effort to curb rampant corruption, Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has made it clear that ministers, especially those in the Finance Ministry, should no longer become billionaires during their tenure.
He said such concerns, as well as the infamous 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal and restoring Malaysia’s tarnished reputation, were the main thoughts in his early days as PM.
Speaking in a recent interview with CNBC he pointed out, “For instance, previous leaders, when they became finance minister or prime minister, became billionaires. This has to stop.”
Anwar emphasised that the government is committed to combating corruption, stating, “Without trust and confidence, people will not invest in large amounts. However, this has to stop. That practice has stopped, though we are still continuing this mission.”
As both Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Anwar acknowledged the need to attract high-impact investments, particularly in sectors like artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors.
While Malaysia has seen a rise in investments in data centers, he underscored the importance of advancing the country’s technology focus to enhance its economic status. – Oct 5, 2024
