PUTRAJAYA: Calling the Opposition irresponsible, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says his administration does not interfere with investigations by enforcement agencies nor does it subscribe to using pressure on its opponents.
The Prime Minister maintained that no individual nor party, be it from the government or Opposition, would be exempted from being investigated should such a move be warranted.
“We did not ask for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to act against Bersatu, nor any individual.
“They are free to investigate.
“The only thing I appeal to them is for the agencies to be proactive and efficient and act fast if there are complaints and cases.
“This is because the thrust of this administration is good governance that aims to rid the country of power abuse and corruption,” he said.
Anwar said the Opposition’s claims of interference were discussed at the Cabinet meeting yesterday.
“We are here to reiterate that enforcement agencies and the judiciary remain independent under this government. This is what we want to emphasise.
“It is presumptuous of Opposition leaders to accuse us of interfering.
“We will not repeat (their) practice of using agencies to pressure others,” he told a press conference after chairing the Cabinet meeting yesterday.
Bersatu, which had its accounts frozen by the MACC, had accused the government of using the anti-graft body as a political tool.
Its secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin claimed the move was aimed at destroying the credibility of the party and Perikatan Nasional.
Graft investigators froze the accounts of Bersatu a fortnight ago, to probe its money flow and the RM300mil the party was said to have received.
On the case involving Bersatu, the Prime Minister said there were reports made to the police and the MACC on the party’s finances, adding that Bersatu would have to explain how it had more than RM300mil in its accounts.
“If the party leadership is as clean as they claim to be, they can explain to the agency how in a short span of time they managed to accumulate such a large amount of money – including their source,” he added.
On a challenge made for PKR and DAP to reveal their finances, Anwar said that as PKR president, he had no issues with the demand.
However, he pointed out that Bersatu did not make public its accounts, but the matter was exposed by the MACC.
Datuk Dr Marzuki Mohamad, who is former principal private secretary to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, had called on PKR and DAP to make public their accounts after publishing Bersatu’s account statements for 2020 and 2021.
