KAJANG: The protection of whistleblowers must be done in accordance with laws and procedures to ensure effectiveness and prevent abuse, says Tan Sri Azam Baki.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner said the issue of whistleblowers is often misunderstood by some members of the community who think that anyone who has information about corruption can apply for whistleblower protection.
His remarks came following a report lodged by the Sabah government on Nov 12 against former Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Jontih Enggihon, who claimed that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had abused his powers in the issuance of prospecting and mining licences.
In a related matter, Azam said the individual involved in the dissemination of a video allegedly related to a corruption issue involving an assemblyman has yet to come forward to make an official complaint to the MACC.
“I had instructed two senior MACC officials to meet the lawyer representing the individual to discuss the matter confidentially.
“This is because we respect the profession of lawyers who represent the client involved.
“However, they have gone to the media and various stories have emerged,” he told reporters after opening an MACC shooting event with the media, which saw more than 70 media practitioners participating, Bernama reported.
On Oct 30, the lawyer went to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya to provide information on the corruption issue and wanted to request protection and immunity under the Whistleblower Act 2010, so that his client would not be investigated and charged in court.
A news portal recently reported on several video recordings showing the assemblyman allegedly receiving hundreds of thousands of ringgit to support a company’s application for a project.
The discussion in the video involves a businessman, but his face is not visible, who asked politicians, including those holding senior positions, to return the money as the licence for the project was revoked.
