PM: Don't compare M'sia to 'banana republics', improvement needed in fight against corruption

The Star

Don't compare the nation's fight against corruption with "banana republics" as there is still room for improvement, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.  Speaking at the inauguration of the DHL Complex in the KLIA Free Trade Zone on Monday (Oct 28), the Prime Minister said that the nation must not rest on its past laurels in combating corruption or comparing its successes to lesser nations. As such, Anwar said he also often stressed the need for government departments and agencies to improve on efficiency and delivery.  Read more at https://tinyurl.com/3vw9jxa6  WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

Transcript

00:00I don't have time to talk about our shortcomings, because I have talked a lot about our efforts and focus.

00:17And what we pay attention to is in the field of industry, digitalization, energy transition, semiconductor.

00:30And this will of course require the facilities that I mentioned earlier, such as port, transportation, logistics, to become a pillar.

00:46If not, among the issues that have been brought up is when investors enter in Selangor, or in Kulim, or in Johor, and Sabah-Sarawak,

01:00they will see the efforts of the entire ecosystem.

01:06That is why I want the ministries and colleagues to pay more attention to this issue, because the pace of change is too fast.

01:21And if we are slow, we will be left behind.

01:26That is why I urge the Customs Administration to make changes.

01:34I would like to congratulate them, because many changes have been achieved, even though as we know, there is still room for improvement.

01:42We represent the view that it is not easy for us to achieve progress if we are comfortable.

01:50One of the diseases, whether it is political leadership or management, is when we give positive and pleasing numbers.

02:00Even though we know that our efforts and capacity to improve are many.

02:06I always joke with my colleagues, when I say good, I always borrow the view of George Bernard Shaw.

02:17The moment one receives a praise, you are always reminded of the cynicism of George Bernard Shaw,

02:23when he said, yes, my dear, it is nice, but there is room for improvement.

02:30You will always emphasize the room for improvement, otherwise we will inherit that sort of tradition and culture associated with the culture of contentment or culture of complacency.

02:46You are easily contented now.

02:49We see countries, we see companies, able to succeed because of the preparedness to effect change and the necessary reform,

03:03and not to be subjected by the old ways of doing things, even if it is proven to be lackadaisical or sluggish or slow.

03:14This is precisely the reason why I think we need to accept the fact that if we want to succeed,

03:20we must be prepared to effect change, reform, and do things better.

03:27Make a serious study and compare the level of relative success with other countries.

03:33We don't compare with the past.

03:36For example, level of anti-corruption drive, immensely successful.

03:41Compared to what? Probably some banana republics in Africa.

03:46Or do you compare to the best?

03:49Similarly, the expertise and the change, the relative success of many of our institutions must have what is termed as comparative advantage,

04:02and compare to the best, not compare to the most sluggish or weak or mediocre.

04:09Then we will then record great success.

04:12So that is why I feel, even though I am getting old,

04:16but my thoughts are still young and determined to work harder.

04:32For more UN videos visit www.un.org

Category

Transcript

Recommended