PUTRAJAYA (Jan 2): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim congratulated the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for acting without fear or favour against a number of "big sharks", following several significant seizures of late.

Anwar stressed that stern action needs to be taken against those who steal from public coffers in order to save the country from the perils of corruption.

"I would like to congratulate MACC on its persistence to take action regardless of who the person is... Actions have been taken against figures who were seen as untouchable from being investigated," he said in a speech at the launch of the Central Database Hub (Pangkalan Data Utama or Padu). 

"[If] you steal public funds, whether you are the prime minister, finance minister, or any minister, we have to take firm actions in order to save the country.

"So there will be no more stories of these 'big sharks' escaping again. Our focus now is on these 'big sharks' so that the 'small fishes' can see," Anwar added.

The MACC on Dec 21 seized Ilham Tower, said to be owned by former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, as part of the commission's investigation over purported money laundering in relation to corporate transactions involving Renong Bhd and United Engineers Malaysia Bhd.

Furthermore, rumours are rife that the MACC will summon a former prime minister and two aides in its probe into three separate cases of alleged misappropriation of funds.

It was not immediately clear whether the probe is related to investigations linked to Daim.

Read also:
Anwar downplays impact of ‘Dubai Move’ on administration
PM launches Padu ahead of targeted subsidy implementation