MELAKA: The ongoing efforts by the unity government to eradicate corruption and abuse of power has not only helped fill the nation's coffers, but also improved the welfare of the people, including those in enforcement agencies, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
As such, he stressed that it is important for the country to put an end to the leakage of public funds
In his speech during a visit to the Melaka Tengah district police headquarters, Anwar highlighted how the abuse of government-subsidised diesel recently had incurred a loss for the federal administration.
The case, said Anwar, reportedly occurred on Sebatik Island, which is located off the eastern coast of Borneo and shared by Malaysia and Indonesia.
"I received a report from an enforcement body (over the case) in Sebatik Island. The Malaysian part of the island has almost 4,000 people, while 10,000 are residing in the Indonesian part of the island.
"(According to the report) Government-subsidised diesel worth thousands of ringgit went to non-Malaysians. I was also informed that major fishing vessels operated by and belonging to foreigners were using our subsidised diesel.
"The case has been going on for years since there are many 'penyakau' agents of orang besar, some of who are 'Datuk Seri'.
"That is why we must put an end to all forms of leakages. All enforcement agencies must do all you can to save the country's national funds."
All monies and assets recovered while weeding out corruption and abuse of power, said Anwar, would be returned to the people in the forms of government development programmes and financial assistance.
"We saved RM1 billion (when the government reviewed) flood mitigation projects. We also saved RM400 million in the Jana Wibawa scandal.
"Just imagine how much more we can save if we continue efforts to end public fund leakages and abuse of power. The country can save up to RM15 billion.
"With cooperation from everyone, we can increase the country's revenue, improve the image of the nation and ensure a better life for the people,"
In the same speech, Anwar also called on leaders to go to the ground to understand problems faced by the people.
" Although Malaysia is a country respected among the global community, I as the prime minister feel ashamed to find that there were public infrastructures and district police headquarters in poor condition," he said.