CIVIL servants must not blindly follow instructions from their superiors, even ministers, if they violate rules and regulation, Anwar Ibrahim said today.

The prime minister said civil servants must instead act to provide checks and balances against such instructions which are against the law and regulations.

Only this can effectively fight corruption and wastage of public funds in the administration, Anwar said in his monthly address to the staff of the Prime Minister’s Department.

Anwar also revealed that meeting minutes from the previous administration showed that public funds were being used in excess for development projects.

“Enforcement (of the law) is also very crucial, especially in the Finance Ministry. I have looked through many files and found many excesses.

“I can’t blame public officials as they were carrying out instructions by ministers and even the prime minister.

“But now I have given clear instructions that even if there are instructions from the prime minister that are deemed to be in violation of set rules and regulations, I must at least be informed of the matter.

“This goes even for my officers or officers from the office of the deputy prime minister and other ministers,” he said.

Anwar did not name which administration he was referring to but in recent weeks investigations had begun on the alleged misappropriation of RM92.5 billion of government funds under former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Several individuals, including a CEO of a private company, had been arrested over their roles in the scandal.

Muhyiddin, meanwhile, has denied any wrongdoing, saying he was ready to be investigated by the proper authorities. – January 16, 2023.