MINISTERS and government leaders have been warned that they will get the boot if they are found to be corrupt.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad told a town-hall session with 3,400 administrative and diplomatic officers in Putrajaya today that there will be no pity or consideration shown to corrupt officials.

“Government leaders have been given a warning by me, if they are involved in corruption. I would like to shoot them, like in China, but I can’t,” he said, drawing laughter from the crowd.

“If he (a corrupt leader) sets a bad example, he is going to go out. No pity, no consideration and no cover-up.”

The 93-year old said even he, the prime minister, must declare his wealth, so as to prevent corruption.

“The PM, too, needs to set a good example. The PM cannot steal,” he said, again eliciting laughter.

Former prime minister Najib Razak was recently charged with criminal breach of trust and abuse of power, in relation to SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of troubled state investor 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Without mentioning names, Dr Mahathir said corrupt leaders should emulate the Japanese and hang their heads in shame, not walk around with smiles on their faces.

“The Japanese sense of shame is very strong. There is this individual who, when we say he has stolen money, smiles.

“Try to be more like the Japanese. No need to commit ‘harakiri’, but at least, do feel ashamed,” he said, referring to the ritual suicide by disembowelment to restore honour.

Dr Mahathir brought up luxury yacht Equanimity, said to have been bought with funds stolen from 1MDB.

He said the owners of the vessel are not ashamed that it was bought with other people’s money.

“Equanimity is over 300 feet long. It has rooms, toilets and an office. It was bought with stolen money, but they are not remorseful.”

The yacht, handed over by Indonesia to Malaysia, arrived in Port Klang last week.

It was previously impounded by Indonesian authorities in Bali in February, at the request of the US Department of Justice as part of its probe into 1MDB. – August 15, 2018.