Speaking at an anti-corruption debate competition at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Azam said the situation in Nepal was a reminder of how corruption and injustice could spark public anger and destabilise governments.

“Look at Nepal. I was impressed by Abiskar Raut, a secondary school student. He gave a speech that led to the eventual fall of the Nepal government,” Azam said last night.

Quoting the young student, he said: “We are the fire that will burn away the darkness, we are the storm that will sweep away the injustice.”

Azam said the leadership in Nepal was shaken to its core, and that even its finance minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel had been assaulted by a mob.

Anti-corruption demonstrators took to the streets of Nepal in September, defying an indefinite curfew and clashing with police after 19 people died in violent protests triggered by a social media ban.

Government buildings, the country’s supreme court, parliament building, police posts, businesses as well as politicians’ private houses including those of president Ramchandra Paudel and prime minister KP Sharma Oli were set on fire.

At least 72 people were killed while the prime minister subsequently resigned.

Azam said Malaysians must not allow the country to suffer such a fate.

“Let us not become like Nepal. In my view, our country is still under control, but if corruption is not contained, it will become a cancer.”