KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia July 25 2025 – In a hard-hitting media statement today, Pandan MP and former Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli called on Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim to take decisive action to address growing public skepticism over the government’s anti-corruption efforts, particularly in light of allegations surrounding Datuk Farhash Wafa Salvador.
Speaking in response to Anwar’s remarks at the Ministry of Finance’s monthly assembly on 24 July 2025, where the Prime Minister expressed puzzlement over the lack of support for his anti-corruption initiatives, Rafizi acknowledged Anwar’s sincerity in tackling graft. He noted that the fight against corruption was a cornerstone of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) campaigns, contributing significantly to their victories in the 2018 and 2022 general elections.
However, Rafizi emphasized that public trust in these efforts remains shaky, pointing to Malaysia’s stagnant ranking in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). The country scored 50 points in both 2023 and 2024, placing it 57th out of 180 countries—a marginal improvement from 2021 and 2022 but nearly identical to its 2015 ranking during the height of the 1MDB scandal.
“While we understand the opposition’s tendency to dismiss government efforts, we must reflect on why some ordinary citizens remain unconvinced by the government’s anti-corruption measures,” Rafizi said. He attributed this to two key factors: the effectiveness of reforms in eradicating grassroots-level corruption and the public’s perception of the government’s consistency in addressing graft, particularly among its own ranks.
Rafizi raised concerns over recurring controversies involving Farhash, a prominent figure allegedly linked to Anwar. The latest allegations involve a 70,000-hectare mineral exploration license in Sabah, supported by documents and audio recordings. Rafizi warned that such scandals, coupled with Farhash’s reported business dealings and government contracts, are fueling public discontent.
“Since Anwar became Prime Minister, Farhash has emerged as a dynamic businessman with interests spanning multiple companies, some of which have secured significant government contracts,” Rafizi said, noting that the scale of these contracts remains unclear but is widely discussed among the public and business community.
Dismissing Anwar’s earlier denials that Farhash’s activities are unrelated to him, Rafizi urged the Prime Minister to treat the issue with greater seriousness. “Raw denials are no longer sufficient,” he said, calling for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to launch an investigation into Farhash, similar to probes targeting other individuals accused of sudden wealth accumulation.
Rafizi warned that failure to address these controversies could undermine the government’s anti-corruption agenda and jeopardize PKR and PH’s prospects in future elections. “Consistency in fighting corruption is crucial to restoring public confidence,” he stressed. “If not addressed, the Farhash issue risks dragging down the Unity Government’s credibility.”
The statement comes amid heightened public scrutiny and ahead of a planned “Turun Anwar” rally in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow, signaling growing tensions over governance and economic challenges.