KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says police should be more strict and courageous in tackling corruption issues.
He said the police needs to play a greater role in addressing corruption issues and not to betray the trust entrusted by the security personnel who have sacrificed for the country.
"In addition to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the police also needs to be brave in safeguarding the nation (against corruption) and not to disregard sacrifices, including those of police personnel.
"However, I believe it is not something easy, but when corruption becomes systemic, it will erode our strength," he said at the 217th Police Day Celebration, here, today.
Anwar also also called all parties to reflect on the mandate given by fomer Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein regarding threats to national security.
He said, besides the successful handling of communist threats by national security forces, Tun Abdul Razak had warned in 1961 about the issues of corruption and communalism that would engulf the country.
"In the issue of corruption...imagine as early as 1961, the country's top leaders had already strongly opposed leadership that undermined the country's foundations due to rampant corruption.
"The struggles of our fathers and mothers who fought with sweat, tears, and blood were not for allowing leaders, officials, and civil servants to plunder our wealth at will," he said.
Also in attendance was Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah
Chief Justice of Malaysia Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Attorney-General Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh, Armed Forces Chief Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali and Public Service Department director-general Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz were also in attendance.