BUTTERWORTH: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today reminded all parties not to continue the cartel practices that burden the people through excessive price hikes across various sectors, including defence, healthcare, and construction. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the existence of cartels not only puts pressure on the public but also causes wastage of government funds, hindering efforts to improve public facilities and essential services. The prime minister highlighted the need for integrity in the national defence sector, stressing that procurement management must remain free from cartel influence. He also cautioned against using isolated incidents as a justification for penalising the entire Armed Forces or security forces. The prime minister reiterated that the integrity and credibility of the security forces must be upheld, as they are vital to national stability and investor confidence in Malaysia's economic outlook.

Source: The Star January 24, 2026 10:19 UTC