Corruption in Malaysia is not new. For decades, it was normalised, protected and, in some sectors, allowed to take root. Many knew. Too few were willing to act. Powerful figures were shielded, senior ranks treated as untouchable, and silence became the safer choice.
The Madani Government under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has chosen a different path.
Recent action against senior civil servants, including at the highest levels of the armed forces, is unprecedented in our history. Pursuing accountability within institutions long viewed as beyond scrutiny is neither easy nor cost-free. It carries political risk and demands conviction. The government did not interfere or turn away. Enforcement agencies were allowed to act without fear or favour. That alone marks a clear departure from past practice.
Cleaning up the public sector is never comfortable. It requires leadership prepared to face pressure, criticism and attempts to derail reform. The Madani Government has shown it is willing to bear that cost in the national interest.
At the same time, reform cannot rely on punishment alone. Integrity must be matched with empowerment. Accountability must go hand in hand with dignity. That is why, since 2023, the Madani administration has embarked on the most comprehensive effort in decades to strengthen and professionalise the civil service.
The Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act was enacted to impose discipline and accountability in public spending. Long-standing bureaucratic red tape is being dismantled through targeted reforms. More recently, Parliament passed the Government Service Efficiency Commitment Act 2025 to permanently remove outdated rules and procedures that undermine efficiency and public trust.
For the first time in more than a decade, civil servants received the highest salary increase in history, exceeding 13 per cent, restoring dignity to public service. One-off assistance was provided earlier to help ease cost-of-living pressures. Pensioners were not left out, with adjustments made in tandem. The remuneration system has also been restructured to reward performance, not blind seniority, reinforcing the principle that public trust must be earned through results.
Beyond wages, the government is investing heavily in training and upskilling. Digital transformation is no longer rhetoric. Hundreds of thousands of civil servants are being equipped with skills in artificial intelligence, automation and data management to ensure the public sector remains effective and relevant.
The Kota Madani initiative reflects the same philosophy. Civil servants who dedicate their lives to serving the country deserve access to decent, affordable housing. This is not charity. It is respect for service.
Anti-corruption enforcement and public sector empowerment must move together. One without the other will fail. These reforms are structural, not cosmetic. They will disrupt those who benefited from the old system, and resistance is to be expected. But the direction is clear.
Malaysia cannot move forward if corruption is tolerated at the top while reform is demanded only from the bottom. Trust in institutions can only be rebuilt when leadership acts decisively and fairly.
As the ruling party, Parti Keadilan Rakyat stands firmly behind this agenda. We support the fight against corruption without compromise. We support a professional, dignified and empowered civil service. We will not retreat simply because reform is uncomfortable.
Change is never easy. Three years of difficult economic reforms are only now beginning to show results. When targeted subsidies were announced, many were quick to condemn. Today, we see the outcomes of those hard decisions. Institutional reform follows the same path. It takes time, discipline and patience. What matters is direction and sincerity. The leaders entrusted with this mandate understand their responsibility. This government will not betray the rakyat.
Carry on, PMX. Lead with courage. We stand firmly behind you.
G Sivamalar Genapathy
Deputy Secretary-General
Parti Keadilan Rakyat
Ahli Majlis Pimpinan Pusat
