KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, today, assured business personalities who report and testify on corruption will be protected by the new Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
He said those with information on corrupt activities need not fear backlash for reporting, giving assurance his administration will enforce against corruption.
“I know some business people are corrupt, however reporting on them could risk retaliation from the said person or his accomplices,” Dr Mahathir said.
"There is no need to fear. This government is clean, we will protect you from any retaliation. We want a clean government and, I believe, so do you," he added.
The prime minister paid homage to the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industries of Malaysia (ACCCIM) at its 72nd annual general meeting here, saying they were the driving force behind generating wealth in the country.
“Our country is what it is today because of the contribution from the business community, especially the Chinese community because they are dynamic in many ways.
“It is the business community which creates wealth in any society, in any country, and there is no doubt that ACCCIM along with the Chinese community as well as other communities have contributed much to the country,” he said in his speech.
Dr Mahathir went on to say Malaysia can take advantage of the ongoing trade wars between major powers; the US and China, to become an internationally preferred investment destination.
“As the US and China imposed high taxes on each other's products, they would definitely need new trading partners and investment locations to produce their products. Malaysia can seize this opportunity," he said.
Dr Mahathir spoke of ‘Malaysia Incorporated’ of which the government will work together with the private sector for the common interests of a stronger economy.
He reiterated Malaysia continues to be business friendly and welcomes new and re-investments to gain exposure on the latest technology and management skills.
“We are ever-ready to work with the government to promote trade, both domestic direct investments (DDI) and foreign direct investments (FDI), which is crucial in job creation and sustaining economic growth,” said ACCCIM president Tan Sri Ter Leong Yap, in his speech, today.
Since its establishment in 1921, the ACCCIM represents more than 100,000 members from different economic sectors.
In 2010, ACCCIM set up the Socio-Economic Research Centre (SERC), a think tank to formulate policy recommendations on behalf of the business communities for the betterment of Malaysia.