Paul Low: I will stick my neck out for Malaysia's institutions

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low said that he would put his life, his job, and his reputation on the line to safeguard Malaysia’s most important institutions.

In a seemingly impassioned speech at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy here on Friday, Low said that he will not allow the monopoly of politics and economy controlled by certain elite groups.

“Malaysia… we are not perfect, but I believe we have a strong foundation to help Malaysia proceed and grow toward a high income nation. Institutions need check and balance to be strong,” said Low, whose portfolio deals with integrity, transparency, governance as well as human rights,

Low listed five different institutions that he pledged to safeguard, urging Malaysians to join him in the fight.

“We have to safeguard the judiciary with our lives and our jobs. If people have no confidence in the judiciary, then we do not have rule of law. We have to safeguard the AG chambers. Then we have to safeguard auditor-general’s office, the police and last but not least, we have to safeguard the MACC,” he said.

“Having being in the government for eight to nine months… thank God I survived. I put my life on the line... my reputation I will safeguard these institutions.”

“I know that whatever is in my capabilities, I am prepared to stick my neck out,” he said, adding that he appreciated NGOs that engage but not those who do not provide solutions.

“I came from an NGO and I know there are those who bang, bang, bang, but no constructive engagements. We need civil society to grow,” he said.

Low said that as a leader fighting corruption himself, there are times when “they ask us to do things”, alluding to third parties who urge anti-graft fighters to look the other way.

“They ask us to do things... to overlook some misdeed... if we follow their instructions... it borders on injustice. The fight against corruption must depend on the quality of the leaders. We must be above the circumstances of factional groups, especially entrenched interests that is exploiting resources of this country.”

Meanwhile, when asked to comment on alleged police partiality in dealing with recent threats against DAP leader Teresa Kok, Low simply said: “Institutions must uphold the rule of law.”