Anwar said this was partly thanks to the government’s political will to combat corruption, enabling MACC to act courageously against anyone who violated the law.
“Never before in its history has MACC acted so courageously against the most influential leaders. I have never read of such actions being taken since 1957,” he said at the commission’s 58th anniversary celebration here.
Congratulating MACC, Anwar said that in previous decades, there were only isolated cases of the graft buster investigating a minister or menteri besar for corruption.
Now, he said, MACC was acting comprehensively, thoroughly, and courageously to eradicate corruption, with a willingness to take risks.
“This is what MACC has done, and we are proud of it. I salute the commission for its courage,” he said, adding that only such determination could restore the nation’s integrity and ensure its survival.
“This is the only way for people and the country to rise again. No matter how great or wealthy a nation may be, it cannot survive if leakages occur and corruption continues to spread.
“History has also proven that the fall of civilisations is often caused by the destruction and decay of systems due to corruption,” he said.
Anwar recounted how past efforts to strengthen anti-corruption laws were blocked, particularly when he was serving as acting prime minister in 1997 when Dr Mahathir Mohamad went on vacation for two months.
“When I was the acting prime minister, I proposed that if a public official, even a minister, was found to have amassed an unexplained amount of wealth, the anti-corruption agency should be empowered to investigate and prosecute even years after their retirement.”
He said even though it was accepted, there were some resistance within the Cabinet later, and eventually, the enforcement powers were withdrawn by the attorney-general.
“I found it strange, because in the meetings, no one had objected,” he said.
He said his position then was clear. “If we are not corrupt, we should not be worried about being investigated today, tomorrow, or even after retirement.”