One week for enforcement chiefs to decide whether to stay or be reassigned, says Anwar

PUTRAJAYA (Jan 28): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given senior enforcement leaders one week to confirm their readiness to stay and shoulder their responsibilities or opt for reassignment to other posts.

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said those who feel unable to continue carrying the trust may convey their decision directly to him, their respective ministers or department heads.

“If you have been entrusted with responsibility but feel unable to carry it out due to overwhelming challenges and heavier tasks, or tempting external offers, I suggest you inform your head of department, or me, or the minister within a week (from today).

“Let it be known that you are not yet ready to take on the trust of leading enforcement agencies,” he said in his special address to heads of enforcement departments and agencies involved in combating financial crime, here today.

Also present were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki and National Anti-Financial Crime Centre director-general Datuk Seri Shamsun Baharin Mohd Jamil.

“After being in charge for three years, I feel that there are gaps which must be improved. Weaknesses cannot be left unattended, whether in terms of intrusion, smuggling, or tolerating illegal activities that still occur, and sometimes with the space and permission of enforcement agencies,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the government no longer wants to be lulled by reports of success alone, but instead wants firm action on integrity and enforcement problems.

“Let’s not take an indifferent, forgiving attitude and feel that this can happen continuously.

“So I call on my friends to act immediately from this moment. It’s time to act,” he said.

Anwar also expressed his regret at the weaknesses in enforcement that still occur despite many officers having shown excellent and meritorious service to the country.

“Why am I regretful? Because I know that if we were to list the number of good deeds and greatness, there are many of us who have contributed enough in this service (which) cannot be denied.

“But the reality also forces us to reflect, to think seriously, do we want to carry out activities as usual, carelessly? Is smuggling okay? Corruption okay? Are illegal activities acceptable?..with various smuggling activities…we can no longer continue,” he said. – Bernama