Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed the government's firm stance on national security, stressing that there will be no compromise, particularly in cases involving intelligence leaks. He also assured that a comprehensive investigation will be conducted into the alleged leaks.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar stated that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has been granted full authority to investigate several high-profile cases, including alleged abuse of power within the intelligence agency accused of selling state secrets for personal gain. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, particularly if groups, akin to cartels, are profiting from the sale of confidential information. Anwar has already briefed the Royal Malaysian Air Force chief and relevant parties, including the Intelligence Division director, and is awaiting the initial report on the matter.
Anwar made these comments during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, in response to Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas), who inquired about the government's next steps following recent national security incidents. These incidents include leaked defense operations and a case involving the son of former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli.
On August 14, MACC remanded 10 individuals, including five senior officers of the Malaysian Armed Forces and two news portal journalists, believed to be involved in a smuggling syndicate operating in the southern region of the country. Anwar stressed that the MADANI Government should not be blamed for the emergence of such cases, as it has adopted a strict zero-tolerance approach toward corruption within government machinery.
Preliminary investigations had identified the case as far back as 2020, but it only came to light this year after MACC was granted full access to investigate. Anwar warned against politicizing the matter and emphasized that the current administration should not be blamed for incidents that began before their tenure. He assured that prosecutions will follow if the investigations uncover actionable cases and cautioned against defending major scandals.
The Prime Minister also assured that no one will be protected if found guilty of misconduct, including those involved in the case linked to Rafizi's son, Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir, or high-profile corruption cases in Sabah.