Anwar Hails Rm5 Billion Success In Anti Graft Drive

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The prime minister responds to government critics, some of whom he said were 'sarcastic and cynical' about the tough anti-corruption drive, and the promotion of good governance.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ipoh Sentral development project today. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: The government’s efforts against corruption have resulted in RM5 billion being successfully seized in the past year, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today
The achievement showed the unity government’s determination to cleanse the administrative system of corrupt practices that have hindered national development, he said, Sinar Harian reported.
Anwar took aim at critics of his government’s efforts, some of whom were “sarcastic and cynical about governance and this tough anti-corruption drive”.
He said: “Let me tell you how much we have collected. In this year alone, we have successfully seized RM4 billion to RM5 billion from corrupt activities in various agencies, from ministries, immigration, customs to political figures.”
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ipoh Sentral development project in the grounds of the Ipoh railway station, Anwar said the past practice of linking mega projects with commissions and bribes was no longer acceptable.
Instead every development project must be implemented transparently and provide direct benefits to the people.
“If you want to build a 15-storey building, you are asked for compensation (saguhati). If it is 20 floors, the ‘saguhati’ increases. All this must be stopped. The conditions must be firmly set, in clear regulations in all areas,” he said.
Anwar also said the government is emphasizing efforts to raise the standard of living of the people, by increasing civil service salaries and ensuring that employees of government-linked investment companies (GLICs) earn a fair wage.
“We have increased the minimum wage in stages. For GLICs, the minimum starting salary is set at around RM3,100,” he said, urging other large companies to follow suit.
Anwar also spoke about the development of the Ipoh Sentral project, based on the concept of transit oriented development, which he said could become a model of best development practices.
The RM6.25 billion project on an area of 67 acres will be implemented in two phases, encompassing the construction of a landmark public park at Regat Tun Perak complete with a new mosque, the integration of existing houses of worship, as well as a mixed development involving serviced apartments, office space, businesses, hotels and community facilities.
The project is expected to create more than 8,000 job opportunities. - FMT

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