KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed that his government will not interfere in commercial decisions, emphasising his administration’s commitment to maintaining market integrity and transparency in Malaysia’s corporate and economic sectors.
Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, highlighted that business decisions should be guided by merit, efficiency, and market realities, rather than political influence.
“I do not interfere in commercial decisions, and none of my Cabinet colleagues should,” he asserted.
While acknowledging support for new technologies, green initiatives, and welfare programmes, Anwar stressed that the government does not intervene to protect personal or vested interests. “The commercial decision is entirely yours,” he added, speaking during a conversation at the Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) Knowledge Forum 2025.
The Prime Minister also outlined key government initiatives designed to bolster domestic investments, such as the Gear-Up programme. He highlighted the government’s efforts to realign major institutions like PNB and Khazanah Nasional Bhd to focus on driving sustainable growth for the nation.
“We must stay true to our core objectives and continue improving governance standards,” Anwar said, commending the hard work and commitment shown in implementing reforms effectively.
He further underscored the significance of strong governance, fiscal discipline, and education as Malaysia undergoes an economic restructuring to foster growth and reduce inequality.
Reflecting on the government’s performance in its first year, Anwar acknowledged the fiscal challenges inherited by the administration, including high national debt and systemic inefficiencies. “We were struggling in the first year because we inherited huge debts. People must understand that we need new policies and must restructure the economy,” he explained during his keynote address at the PNB forum.
As Malaysia embraces digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI), Anwar emphasised the importance of inclusivity and addressing structural gaps in education and connectivity. “We cannot ignore the disconnect between those with full access to connectivity and those in rural or urban poor areas. We cannot tolerate this imbalance,” he said.
Anwar also pointed to recent successes in fiscal enforcement, noting that the government had recovered RM15.5 billion through stronger actions against corruption, smuggling, and financial leakages.
“Effective enforcement by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the police, and tax agencies has allowed us to recover billions that were previously lost to corruption and racketeering. The real question is, how did we tolerate this for decades?” he said.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment to equitable development, Anwar stated that the next phase of economic reform will continue to prioritise governance, accountability, and sustainability to ensure Malaysia’s transformation remains inclusive. – October 21, 2025