Do not compromise on integrity, Ezam reminds Anwar
SINAR DAILY REPORTER28 Nov 2022 03:22pm
Gerak chairman Datuk Ezam Mohd Nor
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Gerak chairman Datuk Ezam Mohd Nor, in a statement today, said while the core move by the government is a focus on revitalising the economy and unity, this should not come at the expense of the assertion on integrity in its practices.
"The biggest problem in this country has always been integrity, not unity. Issues of integrity have plagued the leaders and political elite. Malaysia made global headlines for the wrong reasons lately not because of the disunity of its people, but because of the leadership being devoid of integrity," said Ezam, who had also served as Anwar's political secretary when he was Deputy Prime Minister between 1992 and 1997.
He said the appointments of Cabinet members and their officers in ministries will be a key indicator of the level of integrity.
"All cases of breach of integrity before this have not only involved ministers, but their officers as well. AMong the elected member of parliament too there is still those whose integrity are very much in question," said Ezam.
"There are those in the midst of court cases and there are those who are still under investigation by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) for corruption and breach of trust involving taxpayers' funds, including illegal transnational movements of funds," he said. When contacted, Ezam declined to name those involved, stating that the Prime Minister is well aware of who they are.
He said Gerak, as a pro-reform movement, urged Anwar to not consider any of those tarnished by integrity issued for Cabinet positions or political appointments to government agencies.
"The political appointments of officers in ministers' offices and in the Prime Minister's office too must go through stringent vetting processes and not compromised by those undergoing court cases or investigations by the MACC or police," said Ezam.
"We have struggled together to bring reforms to the nation, for the sake of the people and this is the moment where it should not be compromised."
