Macc Urged To Provide Whistleblower Protection In Assemblymen Bribery Case

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Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh said whistleblowers will continue to feel stifled if the fear of repercussion remains. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: A government MP has urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to ensure whistleblower protection is provided in an alleged case of assemblymen discussing bribes for a project licence.
Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh said such protection should be accorded to a witness who comes forward with information as long as the complaint was not found to be frivolous following investigations.
The DAP man noted that whistleblower protection may be revoked under certain circumstances, if a whistleblower took part in the alleged misconduct or if the disclosure was frivolous.
“Surely, it must be MACC’s priority to prevent corruption, particularly involving a state government, and to ensure the objective of the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 is fulfilled,” Ramkarpal said in a statement.
The ex-deputy law minister said the stated purpose of the Act is to combat corruption and other wrongdoings “by encouraging and facilitating the disclosure of improper conduct in the public and private sectors”.
Such disclosures would continue to be stifled if the fear of repercussions remained, he said.
Eight videos are reported to have surfaced showing discussions between a businessman and assemblymen about bribes for a project licence.
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the agency’s officers have met a lawyer over the alleged case. According to Malaysiakini, Azam said the lawyer wanted an agreement that his client would not be probed before more evidence was provided.
Azam said this was rejected as MACC could not provide a written guarantee of immunity without detailed information about the alleged improper conduct.
The witness was urged to file an official complaint so that he could be granted whistleblower protection. Earlier today, Azam said MACC had yet to receive any official complaint on the case. - FMT

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