Mahathir suggests quicker approvals to beat graft
“Corrupt people don’t talk. Those who give bribes also won’t talk. They don’t want to go to court.”
(Free Malaysia Today) – Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, conceding that there was corruption during his time too, suggests that government projects be approved quickly and in a transparent manner to reduce conditions for graft.
He pointed out that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) faces difficulties in gathering evidence if the politicians involved belonged to a powerful political party.
“Corrupt people don’t talk. Those who give bribes also won’t talk. They don’t want to go to court. That’s why it’s difficult to get enough information to prosecute,” said Mahathir, 22 years in public office, in an interview with a Malay daily on Friday.
Mahathir warned that political parties had become even more ambitious, power-hungry and greedy since his days in public office.
“During my time, there was corruption too,” Mahathir conceded but added that “we can’t deny that there is corruption everywhere, be it in the government or in the private sector”.
“Political parties these days are getting more corrupt because they believe that if they become members or leaders of political parties, especially the ruling party, there is an opportunity to make money.”
