PM pledges to return recovered billions to the people
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has pledged that billions of ringgit in public funds recovered from illegal proceeds will be returned to the people, particularly for education and healthcare.
Speaking at the 2026 National Day Prime Minister’s Address at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) on Sunday (Aug 30), Anwar said the amount involved in funds recovered from wrongdoing, corruption, or abuse of power runs into billions of ringgit.
“Today, I declare that all funds recovered from illegal proceeds through the legal process and decisions of the judiciary will be returned to the people, especially in the areas of education and healthcare,” he said.
Separately, at the Skim Usahawan Bangkit Madani Permatang Pauh programme in Kubang Semang, Bukit Mertajam on August 29, Anwar said billions of ringgit lost through leakages and misuse must be recovered and returned to Malaysians. He argued that the government could not justify allowing vast sums of public money to disappear while ordinary people received relatively modest amounts in assistance.
“I want to stop that, take the money back and give it back to the people. That’s all. And for that, I get cursed in all sorts of ways,” he was quoted as saying, according to Sinar Harian.
Call for investigations and legal action
Anwar cited allegations involving Lembaga Tabung Haji and RM12 billion in funds as an example of a matter that should be investigated to establish what happened and who, if anyone, was responsible.
“I said RM12 billion went missing. How did it disappear? When did it disappear? Who allowed it to disappear? Investigate. If there is an investigation and there is evidence, haul them in. If there is strong evidence, charge them in court. Then leave it to the judge,” he said.
Anwar stressed that firm action against leakages could invite criticism, but that the government had to uphold good governance and ensure public money ultimately benefited the people. He noted that criticism would not deter him from his course of action.
The Prime Minister also contrasted current government assistance amounts, which he said range from RM800 to RM4,000, with past practices where those at the top took a lot.
“If people only want RM2,000, but what you took and allowed to disappear runs into billions of ringgit, I want to stop that, take it back and give it back to the people,” he said.