Anwar: ‘Hundreds of years of service’ no excuse, corrupt people belong in prison

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has declared that corruption should not be tolerated, even by those with a long history of service. In a Facebook post, he stated that even a legacy spanning hundreds of years is insufficient justification for allowing corruption to persist or for allowing the assets of the nation to be plundered. Anwar emphasized the need to speak out more forcefully against corruption, stating that those who engage in it should be held accountable in prison.

The Prime Minister also shared an excerpt from his speech at the 14th Forum Ilmuwan Madani, which addressed the concept of permissiveness - a culture characterized by excessive tolerance of wrongdoing. He explained that the term permissiveness was once used by Indonesian leader Muhammad Natsir to describe an attitude of tolerance, where illicit acts such as destruction, theft, and corruption are considered commonplace.

Anwar warned that this tolerance for evil is destroying society, as it becomes acceptable to engage in acts of corruption, theft, and other illicit activities, regardless of the amount involved.

Anwar cited a hadith from the Prophet Muhammad, as narrated by al-Bukhari (3475) from Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), which emphasized the importance of justice in the administration of punishment, irrespective of an individual's status. The hadith warned that past nations were destroyed because those in high positions were spared punishment for theft, while the weak were punished for the same offenses. Anwar stressed that this principle of justice must be upheld, regardless of an individual's rank or status.

While Anwar did not mention any specific names in his post, he sent a clear message that those who engage in corruption should be held accountable in prison.