Stop soliciting, giving commissions for development projects - PM

KUALA LUMPUR - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants the practice of soliciting and giving commissions in the implementation of any development projects, including housing, to be stopped immediately.

He said the government has never prevented any company from conducting its operations and earning profits, but the practice of giving commissions to any minister or political party for that purpose should not continue to persist.

"If the company is making profits, no problem, but don’t cut RM10 million or 15 million (of the company’s profit) just for a minister or any political party as practised before. This is what damages (the system). I understand many would be angry with me for addressing this issue, but everyone knows, just ask the developers in the Federal Territories.

"Am I right or am I wrong? Am I exaggerating or am I telling the truth? Without exception, everybody would say yes and that has been the practice and we have done so. I say we have to stop this nonsense,” he said when launching the Residensi Wilayah, Residensi Prihatin MADANI and MADANI Hawkers Centre ground-breaking ceremony at Desa Tasik Sungai Besi here today.

Anwar said that it is better for the "commission allocation” to be returned to the people by implementing more balanced development projects, including housing for low-income groups or more organised markets and hawkers centres.

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