Anwar sidestepped bigger issues on ‘corporate mafia’, says Rafizi

Bersama leader Rafizi Ramli has criticized Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for avoiding the core issues concerning the "corporate mafia" allegations during a recent parliamentary session. The allegations pertain to groups within agencies like MACC and the police allegedly collaborating with businessmen to coerce others into surrendering their businesses.

Rafizi expressed disappointment with Anwar's response to inquiries on the matter, stating that the allegations represented a more serious concern than typical corruption or abuse of power accusations. Unlike other issues, the corporate mafia allegations are unique due to their claim of criminal syndicates infiltrating key enforcement agencies.

Despite Anwar's comments in Parliament, the former deputy president of PKR alleged that these allegations were not addressed or answered by the prime minister during the session. Earlier, Anwar had acknowledged that the government had inherited a system plagued with lack of transparency that allowed corporate crimes and market manipulation to persist unchecked for decades.

Furthermore, he alleged that several cases involving corporate mafia activities were tied to an influential former finance minister who held significant financial resources. The prime minister also denied that a current minister had received RM9.5 million from a businessman, claiming the allegation to be a baseless political statement.

He also mentioned that the concerned minister had taken the issue to court. However, Rafizi questioned the veracity of this claim, pointing out the lack of reports regarding the minister's court action.