Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warns against cartels in defence, healthcare and construction, saying they waste funds and hinder public facility development.
BUTTERWORTH: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for an end to cartel practices that burden the people through excessive price hikes.
Speaking at the launch of a new block at Seberang Jaya Hospital, Perai, he said such practices pressure the public and cause wastage of government funds.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, warned against reliance on cartels that oppress people by raising prices in sectors like defence, healthcare and construction.
“Do not rely on cartels that oppress the people by raising prices excessively in sectors such as defence, healthcare, and construction,” he said.
He stated that cartel dominance in procurement and specific markets leads to unreasonable price increases.
This makes it harder for the government to allocate extra funds for development projects like hospitals and clinics.
Anwar emphasised the government’s commitment to governance reforms and strengthening procurement transparency.
The goal is to ensure public funds are not wasted or misused on inflated contracts.
The prime minister highlighted the need for integrity in the national defence sector, stressing that procurement management must remain free from cartel influence.
He said this is essential for maintaining the credibility of the security forces and ensuring that every defence expenditure provides maximum benefit to the nation, including fostering the growth of local industries and enhancing the capabilities of strategic assets.
Anwar emphasised that the fight against cartels and the elimination of waste must be pursued across all ministries and departments, so that any savings can be redirected to benefit the public in the form of improved facilities, assistance, and enhanced well-being.
He also cautioned against using isolated incidents as a justification for penalising the entire Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) or security forces.
He recognised the immense sacrifices made by the hundreds of thousands of soldiers and police personnel stationed at borders, waters, and remote areas, whose efforts ensure the country’s security is safeguarded.
“I do not want one or two isolated cases to tarnish the reputation of the entire Armed Forces. Our nation remains peaceful because of their sacrifices,” he said.
The prime minister reiterated that the integrity and credibility of the security forces must be upheld, as they are vital to national stability and investor confidence in Malaysia’s economic outlook.
