Malaysia anti-corruption protest to mount pressure on Anwar for reform

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Bloomberg
24 Jan 2025 14:55

Protesters call for the establishment of an independent anti-corruption agency.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim leaves after meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (AP)

An anti-corruption rally is set for January 25 in Kuala Lumpur, aiming to intensify pressure on Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to accelerate reforms and take stronger measures against corruption, Bloomberg reported.

The People Hate Corruption Secretariat, the group organizing the protest, announced plans to assemble in a prominent shopping district in Kuala Lumpur and march 800 meters, according to a January 23 statement. Local media reports confirmed that youth wings from two opposition parties will participate.

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Protesters are calling for the government to separate the Attorney-General's Chambers from the Prime Minister's Office, ensure the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission operates independently, and introduce legislation for political funding transparency.

"We urge the government to end all corruption based on those three demands, because only through firm action and full commitment can we restore the country’s honor and ensure justice and integrity as the foundation of governance," the group said in its statement.

Responding on January 24, Prime Minister Anwar said the group had the right to protest but questioned the relevance of their concerns.

"They are raising old issues – some we have resolved and some we can’t resolve," he said. "If there are leaders now who are involved, tell us and we will take care of that."