KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he will not tolerate errant quarters including academicians who are complicit of 'the system in past' responsible for the abuse and leakages of public funds.
The Prime Minister reminded all that corruption and poor governance were the reason why the federal administration under his leadership had to spent hundreds of millions in ringgit to repair and upgrade toilets at some 8,000 schools last year.
"Billions have been siphoned off and nobody dares to touch the big crooks because they are invisible in the system.
"I will not tolerate this. All political leaders, academicians and super elites must accept the collective responsibility that we failed in our task to prevent such gross aversion of public funds to enrich a few crooks in this country.
"The rot must stop here. This I want to remind you .. professors and scholars, either somewhat complicit or be seen to complicit with the system in the past, said Anwar in his speech at the launching of Global Intellectual Discourse "The Next 100'Years: Vision 2100 for Malaysia" here today.
Present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil and Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Datuk Seri Prof Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman.Also in attendance was the prime minister's wife Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
In his speech, Anwar also told off critics who had questioned him for repeating his efforts of having a good governance in the system.
"I (am) aware of critics who questioned that Anwar had no other things to talk about (except for the need to have a good governance and eradicate corruption).
"And I am aware some people despise when I talk about good governance and corruption.
"To them, let me tell this. Because of corruption and poor governance that we need to repair toilets at some 8,000 schools.. Because of corruption and poor governance that billions of ringgit in the public funds were transferred to a certain (political) figure," he said.
Anwar later called on all people to support his effort to ensure good governance in the administration of the country.
"If I could not gain support politically, I hope all of you will fully back me in the issue of good governance.
"We must all shoulder this responsibility. We need good governance to introduce better changes to the country," he said.
On the discourse, Anwar hoped that it will help to generate new ideas and healthy environment for the country to move forward.
" Do not use (any) discourse to incite hatred and religious bigotry but other than that you are free (to do so).
"I think the country requires a new healthy culture (in order for it to develop) via exchanging of ideas throughout intellectual discourse," he said.