COMMENT | Since becoming prime minister 22 months ago, Anwar Ibrahim has never minced his words on corruption.

In public meetings, media conferences, and even at the international level, he has used choice words to describe how corruption is destroying the country.

Anwar inherited a system that needed fixing. He had to tackle much-needed reforms to address deep-rooted corruption in politics and business, an economy dominated by entrenched tycoons and monopolies, a weak education system, and a society increasingly divided by race and religion.

Two days ago, he asked: “If you’re innocent, why refuse to declare assets?” as if such a practice would end corruption.