Bribery Mostly Consists of Non-Muslims: Anthony Loke Demands Proof of Sanusi’s "Fact"

Perikatan Nasional election director Dato’ Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has claimed that compared to Muslims, more non-Muslims get arrested for offering and receiving bribes. Sanusi is also the current caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar and a PAS politician.

As reported by Malay Mail, Sanusi also alleged that the DAP were the ones that started the debate of Muslims vs non-Muslims by claiming that there were Malay leaders who were involved in corruption. He said that in August 2022, Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang was merely correcting the narrative by stating that non-Muslims and non-Bumiputera made up the bulk of the “roots of corruption.”

It is not certain if Sanusi provided any basis for his claims, but he asserted that he was speaking the truth and that it was based on facts.

During the Keluar Sekejap podcast with hosts Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan, he said, “I agree with Tok Guru. As long as I am right, I will speak. Go look at the records of people arrested for offering and receiving bribes, there are many who are non-Muslims. That is a fact and true.”

He added that last year, the DAP had made a series of statements alleging, “Malay leaders are corrupt. All these Malay leaders cannot be trusted”.

“They say it is better to have a good non-Muslim than a Muslim leader who is not good because of corruption. But when you look at the facts, many who were arrested were non-Muslims,” said Sanusi.

Anthony Loke Claps Back

In response, Anthony Loke, DAP Secretary-General and Minister of Transport posted a statement to his Facebook page.

“DAP condemns the groundless and irresponsible statement by Perikatan Nasional election director Muhammad Sanusi that associates non-Muslims in Malaysia as the ones who give and receive the most bribes,” Loke posted.

“Sweeping statements are not just unfounded but incite racial hatred. We challenge Sanusi to present the report which comes to such a conclusion. Where are the ‘facts’? The facts are based on what research?”, he added.

“If you can’t prove it, you should apologise publicly…Corruption should not be linked to any particular race. A crime is a crime no matter who it is.”

“Repeated statements like this prove that Perikatan Nasional is a detriment to the harmony amongst races in Malaysia and should be rejected by the plural society for the sake of the unity of the citizens of Malaysia.”

Image credit: facebook.com/lokesiewfook, youtube.com/@keluarsekejap