Politicians Slam Kedah MB For Claiming Most People Arrested For Bribery Are Non-Muslims
Citing data, a PKR member claimed that only 40 individuals arrested between 2020 and 2022 for corruption were non-Muslims.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 14 Jul 2023, 06:12 PM
Politicians are criticising Kedah caretaker menteri besar (MB) Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi for claiming that most of the people arrested for giving and receiving bribes are non-Muslims
Sanusi, who is also the Perikatan Nasional (PN) elections director, said in a programme aired on Tuesday, 11 July that his president, Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, was right to point out that non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras are the cause for corruption in Malaysia, reported New Straits Times.
He singled out DAP as the party responsible for playing the narrative that Malay leaders are involved in bribery and corruption.
"I stick with my stance, which is the same as Tok Guru (Abdul Hadi), that as long as it is true, then I will speak. Just go and take a look at the record of those arrested for the offence of giving and receiving (bribes). Many are non-Muslims, it is a fact and it is true," he said during the Keluar Sekejap talk show, on which Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan also appeared.
"Because, at the time, when the statement was issued, DAP played up the claim that Malay leaders are corrupt... Malay leaders cannot be trusted.
"They said that it is better to have good non-Muslims than Muslim leaders who are not good because they practise corruption. But when looking at the facts, many who get caught are non-Muslims," he added.
Sanusi made the statement during the 'Keluar Sekejap' talk show that was aired on 11 July.
Image via Keluar Sekejap (YouTube)Following his statement, Kepong member of parliament (MP) Lim Lip Eng lodged a police report against Sanusi, describing that the latter's remark as "racist" and seditious
"I hope the police do not waste any time and take legal action (against Sanusi) swiftly," Free Malaysia Today quoted Lim as saying today, 14 July.
Meanwhile, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook also criticised Sanusi, saying the "sweeping statement is not only unfounded, but also creates feelings of hatred between races in our pluralistic society".
He demanded the Kedah caretaker MB present proof of his claim.
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng lodged a report against Sanusi at Kepong police station today, 14 July.
Image via Free Malaysia TodayOne PKR member, Kenneth Wai Kok Leong, did some research to refute Sanusi's statement
"According to the data on Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) website, the total number of people arrested and charged by the MACC between 2020 and 2022 is 316, of which only 40 are non-Malays or non-Muslims," China Press quoted him as saying yesterday, 13 July.
He stressed that Sanusi has repeatedly made remarks that are controversial, racist, and show religious discrimination. He added that Sanusi's comments disrupt social harmony at the expense of gaining political advantage, which Wai thinks is very irresponsible.
A screenshot of MACC's database showing individuals who are found guilty of corruption.
Image via MACC via China Press
