KUALA LUMPUR: "I don't want to hold this position to persecute or oppress anyone," said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In the Dewan Rakyat today, he hit out at critics who accused him of abusing his power to take action against opposition party leaders.
"I know what selective prosecution means. Why are you belittling us?
"Ask for an explanation from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Attorney-General's Chambers," he said when winding-up the Supply Bill 2023.
He said this in response to the ongoing Jana Wibawa scandal, which saw Perikatan Nasional chairman and Pagoh member of Parliament Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin being arrested today.
The Jana Wibawa scheme was introduced by the government under Muhyiddin's administration to speed up project implementation and boost the country's economy during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The scheme was also intended to increase the capacity of Bumiputera/Malay contractors in the construction industry to be more competitive and resilient.
Anwar, during his speech, claimed that the contract was instead awarded to a Chinese company.
"I asked for a review because there were many violations of financial regulations.
"There was a Chinese company that 'turned Bumiputera' because coincidentally they were good friends in Johor.
"Whether it's Jana Wibawa 1.0 under Pagoh, or Jana Wibawa 2.0 under Bera (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob), if MACC wants to investigate, then investigate, it was not me who ordered them to," he added.
Anwar said it was as if any act of corruption must be defended simply because it happened between friends.
"This is (the practice of) assabiyah (tribalism). Look at the charges, look at the evidence, see whether or not it is corruption or slander.
"If it is indeed slander, you don't need Pas members (to cry foul), even I will stand up and defend anyone who has been slandered," he said.