Warisan vice-president Azis Jamman has challenged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to demonstrate his commitment to fighting corruption by taking action against those responsible, regardless of their political affiliations.
He said Anwar’s recent disclosure in Parliament about the Trans-Sabah Gas Pipeline (TSGP) and Multi-Product Pipeline (MPP) projects was serious and required more than public statements.
Anwar had revealed that RM8.3 billion, or 88% of the combined contract value, had been paid out despite reported physical progress of only 13%.
Azis said the public wanted to see those responsible held accountable, rather than simply hearing repeated allegations of corruption.
He questioned why several high-profile investigations had yet to result in clear legal action, including the Sabah mineral licensing scandal and alleged irregularities involving the Pan Borneo Highway project.
In the mineral licensing case, he asked why only two assemblymen had been charged and what had happened to investigations involving other individuals linked to the allegations.
He also questioned whether the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was investigating possible abuse of power or corruption in the Pan Borneo project, which had been highlighted in the Auditor-General’s Report.
On the pipeline projects, Azis urged the authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation and bring anyone found guilty to justice.
He also sought an explanation over the restructuring of about RM5 billion in financing, which he said had been channelled towards water supply projects in Perak and Penang despite the failure of the gas pipeline projects planned for Sabah.
He questioned what an appropriate solution would be for Sabah, given the failure to deliver the planned infrastructure.
Azis, who is also Warisan’s Sepanggar division chief, said public confidence in the government’s anti-corruption drive could be undermined by perceptions that enforcement was tougher against political opponents than government allies.
He called for independent, transparent and impartial investigations, stressing that political connections should not influence investigations or prosecutions.
Azis also warned that political power was temporary and that today’s allies could become political opponents following a change of government.
He said Anwar risked losing credibility if his government failed to act while in power, only for its leaders to demand similar investigations after becoming the opposition.
“Corruption remains corruption, whether committed by friends or foes,” he said.
Azis urged Anwar to prove his commitment through fair and consistent enforcement, saying the public would judge the government by its actions rather than how frequently it used the word “sakau” (embezzlement or plunder) in political speeches.
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