Mahathir Issues A Witty Warning To Corrupt Leaders In Government
No mercy for the crooked.
By Jia Vern Tham — 15 Aug 2018, 07:42 PM
At a Putrajaya town-hall session earlier today, 15 August, Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad gave a hilarious but stern warning to corrupt ministers and government leaders
Speaking to 3,400 administrative and diplomatic officers, Mahathir vowed to show the door to officials if they are found to be corrupt, while putting a witty twist to his warning.
"Government leaders have been given a warning by me, if they are involved in corruption. I would like to shoot them, like in China, but I can't," the Prime Minister was quoted as saying by The Malaysian Insight, sparking laughter among the crowd.
Mahathir added that no pity or consideration will be shown to corrupt officials.
Citing the Japanese sense of shame, Mahathir added that corrupt leaders should not walk around with smiles on their faces.
"Try to be more like the Japanese. No need to commit 'harakiri', but at least do feel ashamed," the Prime Minister said, in reference to the Japanese ritual of suicide by disembowelment to restore honour.
Apart from that, Mahathir told government officers to not blindly follow orders that are against the law
New Straits Times reported the Prime Minister as issuing the directive to Administrative and Diplomatic Service (PTD) officers today with his trademark wit.
"If I ask you to murder someone, will you kill?" the Prime Minister asked the members of the floor, and was responded with a resounding no.
Meanwhile, Mahathir said PTD officers, the Armed Forces, and the police must remain loyal to the government, but within the realms of the law.
"Granted, the government expects you to be loyal, but if we ask you to do things (that are) against the law, you should reject (us). Don't do it," he said.