Debating the King’s address in the Dewan Rakyat, Hassan Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) said he supported Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s efforts to aggressively tackle corruption, as decreed by the King.

Hassan said there was nothing wrong with enforcement agencies such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) summoning politicians to assist in their investigations.

“But I am worried that (this could be seen) as selective persecution, (where) the opposition parties become the victims. However, it is fine if there is a basis (for such action).”

He also listed the politicians who had been summoned by the MACC in ongoing probes, including former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, international trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan and an unnamed former finance minister.

He said, as a backbencher, he was aware that the government could summon these figures because the MACC and police were under the executive.

Noting that Anwar is both prime minister and finance minister, he warned Anwar to exercise caution in using his powers as “absolute power corrupts absolutely”.

Stating that he regarded the PKR president as a “good friend” who had “integrity, commitment and is serious” about combating corruption, Hassan pointed out that the finance portfolio was not held by the prime minister up until Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first stint in the top post.

He added that the prime minister already had vast powers, which included advising the King on certain matters.

“I harbour no ill intention here. I just want to remind (the prime minister) that power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Therefore, the power (he has) needs to be exercised carefully and not in a hasty manner.”

Hassan also said he did not want a scandal like 1MDB – which involved the sixth prime minister Najib Razak, who had also held the finance portfolio – to recur.