KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he wants to put a stop to racism and religious bigotry in the country.
He also said that the government under his administration wanted to end corruption and prevent financial leakages in its spendings.
"It is time to stop this nonsense. No more racism, no more religious bigotry, no more corruption," he said at Dialog Anak Muda Temu Anwar during Youth Empowerment Fair 2023 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here today.
Earlier, he was responding to a question on the government's stance to allow further withdrawal of Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
He said that he was open to suggestions, however, it had been made as a political issue.
He also took a jibe at opposition for the anti-graft actions against political leaders related to the Jana Wibawa scandal.
"If money is given by Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary to farmers, it is not ok.
"But if the money is given to party accounts, then it is alright?"
He also hit back at Pas for calling the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission investigation a political vendetta by the government.
He stressed that there was nothing personal about the issue.
"For Jana Wibawa, even the Chinese towkay also benefited.
"They even questioned the flood mitigation projects.
"I cancelled the direct negotiations. It was at a high cost, but why was it approved? Oh, it was because of fatwa.
"Now there is a new fatwa, no direct negotiations, must go through tender to bring down the cost," he added.
Also present during the open dialogue were Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil and Deputy Sports Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim.