Anwar: ‘Hundreds of years of service’ no excuse, corrupt people belong in prison

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says ‘tolerance for evil’ is ruining us. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

By Malay Mail

First Published: Wednesday, 11 Nov 2026 3:53 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said that even hundreds of years of service cannot justify letting anyone plunder the wealth of the people and the country.

He added that those who commit corruption belong in prison.

“Even hundreds of years of service cannot be a reason for us to let anyone plunder and rob the wealth of the people and the country. This attitude of compromising with corruption in the name of service is far from the teachings of Islam.

“This ‘tolerance for evil’ is what is ruining us. Those of us who hate and oppose corruption must speak louder and send a clear message that those who commit corruption belong in prison,” he said in a Facebook post.

He did not name anyone, but the post comes a day after former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was transferred from Kajang Prison to serve the remainder of his six-year SRC International jail sentence under house arrest in Jalan Langgak Duta.

The transfer follows a conditional royal pardon that allows him to serve it at home until August 23, 2028.

He was originally sentenced to 12 years’ jail and fined RM210 million in July 2020 over RM42 million in SRC International funds, before the Federal Territories Pardons Board halved the term and cut the fine to RM50 million in January 2024.

Umno paid the RM50 million fine last Friday, after which the High Court issued an order allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.