Eradicating corruption will help fix the economy and help the people cope with the rising cost of living, said former finance minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.
“Corruption is the biggest problem we face. If we get rid of it, most of our problems can be resolved,” he said at a press conference in his residence today.
He expressed worry over the country’s current “dire” economic state, and said that while the recent fuel price hike was commendable and long overdue, it has affected the people who are already struggling with large household debts.
“A lot of money is wasted and we are bearing the cost because everything is inflated. The costs of projects are too expensive and are passed on to consumers,” he said.
In calling for the government to go after those who are corrupt, Tengku Razaleigh said one way to check corruption was to make it mandatory for every minister, current and former, to declare their assets.
“(Let everyone) see what we have and don’t have and let the public decide,” he added. – September 6, 2013.
* MORE TO COME.
