20/02/2026

FRIDAY | FEB 20, 2026

2

‘Investigate fully before judging any civil servant’

PUTRAJAYA: No public servant should be judged before a full investigation is conducted, and any action must follow the law, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said disciplinary action and investigations, including into cases involving allegations of corruption, should be conducted fairly and properly according to the legal process. “Serious complaints should be channelled properly as is currently being done in the ongoing Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) case. “For me, I do not think anyone would want to work if a prime minister immediately punishes people. I do not choose that route. “We must not punish first without

Carry out dakwah programmes legally, says Anwar PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged all parties to comply with the law, saying dakwah or religious activities are allowed as long as they follow regulations. He said such activities must follow regulations, and enforcement actions should be carried out carefully and transparently. “In the past two to three weeks, there has been extensive enforcement involving the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, temples, dakwah activities and others. “There has been a great deal of action taken and our officers are carrying out their duties well,” he said during a meeting with Home Ministry officials. He added that those who wish to conduct dakwah must follow the rules. Earlier, PAS Youth strongly condemned Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s action against the street dakwah booth organised by Multiracial Reverted Muslims in Bukit Bintang. City Hall clarified on Wednesday that the tent was obstructing the pedestrian walkway. It said its officers went to the site to seek clarification from those responsible but after waiting more than 30 minutes, no one came forward to cooperate or provide an explanation. Following this, it dismantled the tent and moved the materials to storage in accordance with existing laws and regulations. City Hall said enforcement was carried out professionally and in accordance with the law to safeguard public safety, urban order and the proper use of public spaces. On a separate matter, Anwar encouraged people to use the month of Ramadan as a time for self-reflection, personal improvement and strengthening their focus and capabilities. He said Ramadan serves as a “school” which brings together all segments of society – mufti , ministers and the general public – to return to self reflection with humility and modesty. “This is not a time to teach or lecture others but a space to look inward, address our weaknesses and enhance our capabilities in various fields.” He said fasting is not only a tradition but also a test of sincerity and inner strength, as experienced by earlier ummah and recorded in the Quran. – By Qirana Nabilla Mohd Rashidi and Kirtinee Ramesh Azam has dismissed calls for him to take leave, maintaining that he would continue to perform his duties while the investigation is ongoing. – By Qirana Nabilla Mohd Rashidi and Kirtinee Ramesh Ramadan best time for self-reflection PUTRAJAYA: The month of Ramadan is the best madrasah for self-reflection and strengthening focus, improving work quality and addressing existing shortcomings, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. “Take this opportunity to reflect and improve ourselves,”he said at a meeting with Home Ministry staff and the Ihya’Ramadan programme yesterday. Present were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Treasury Secretary-General Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican. – Bernama the anti-graft agency. In response, Azam threatened to file a RM100 million lawsuit against Bloomberg, which has stood by its reporting. The government has agreed to establish a special task force chaired by Attorney-General Tan Sri Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar to probe the allegations.

public interest, with several Cabinet members calling on the commission’s chief Tan Sri Azam Baki to step down or take leave pending investigations. A protest to hold Azam accountable was also held on Sunday. Recently, Bloomberg published a series of reports alleging potential conflicts of interest involving Azam. The reports claimed that he held 17.7 million shares or a 1.7% stake in Velocity Capital Bhd, based on the company’s annual returns reported on Feb 3 last year. It also raised questions about the conduct of

investigating. If action is necessary, we’ll take action. If punishment is warranted, we impose it according to the law,” he said during a meeting with Home Ministry officials yesterday. Awnar also warned that one should not act against someone simply because he is from a different group or party, or due to past conflicts with allied groups. He said investigations into public servants accused of wrongdoing must proceed even if they have served the government for decades. Anwar was referring to the ongoing case involving MACC which has drawn significant

Anwar at the meeting with Home Ministry staff in Putrajaya yesterday. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Conduct religious activities within legal boundaries: PM o ‘No restriction in preaching but it must be carried out by complying with regulations’

“I know this will invite controversy, which is why I am saying it. But this is a country governed by the rule of law,” he said, adding that the issue concerns unauthorised land use rather than any particular religion. “If it goes to the extreme of there being campaigns to demolish temples, that would also be wrong.” On Feb 10 Anwar called on state governments, including those led by the Opposition, to comply with the federal government’s decision, adding that the issue is complex and that it had taken more than two years for the policy to be finalised. “Compromise has its strengths and benefits but it should not undermine the foundations and strength of the nation.” On Feb 12, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, had decreed that all parties must comply with the law in matters involving land use and the construction of houses of worship. The King cautioned against politicising religious issues in ways that could undermine harmony and unity in Malaysia’s multiracial society. Sultan Ibrahim reminded all parties to avoid actions or statements that could create misunderstanding or divisions, emphasising that Malaysia’s strength lies in harmony, tolerance and adherence to the rule of law.

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that while freedom of worship is guaranteed in Malaysia, all activities, regardless of religion, must be undertaken in strict accordance with existing laws and regulations. He said the government’s position is clear – religious activities are not restricted but they must be carried out within legal boundaries. “We must have laws. I was also involved in thinking about dakwah (proselytising) before. Go ahead and preach. There are no restrictions at all. But follow the regulations. That is all we ask,” he said at the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly yesterday. He said the same principle applies to the construction of temples and other religious structures. “Build any temple you want. Pray as much as you wish. But follow the rules. You cannot simply put up a temple, shrine or idol Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH AND QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

anywhere you like without regard for regulations. That is not allowed.” He dismissed claims that certain religious structures could be erected freely without approval. “Some people say a surau can be built anywhere without following the rules. That is not true. “I know from our history that there were surau in Perak that were demolished for breaching regulations. So I hope this matter can be resolved properly. “If we continue like this the country will not be peaceful. We will not be able to focus on bigger national issues – values, education, AI, reform programmes and education transformation.” At the National Unity Ministry’s monthly assembly on Feb 9, Anwar had announced that the federal government would no longer permit the construction of unregulated houses of worship. He said local councils have been empowered to act against any structure intentionally built in breach of existing laws.