Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar believes that some individuals who reveal information to the media before reporting to the authorities may cause others to be condemned before having a chance to explain or before an investigation is conducted.
Datuk Seri Azalina, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), previously stated that the government has no intention to amend the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 to provide protection for whistleblowers who reveal information to the media first instead of reporting to enforcement agencies.
She mentioned that in the high-profile Sabah government corruption case, the whistleblower revealed information to the media before reporting to the enforcement agencies. Therefore, the whistleblower is not protected under Section 7(1) of the Act.
When asked about this matter during an event at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre on Thursday (February 6), the Prime Minister said, “The current law is as such.....and this is for good reason, because if everyone claims things as facts, it could lead to someone being condemned before the investigation begins or before they have a chance to explain.”
However, the Prime Minister continued to say that the government is reviewing this law, and Azalina already has a draft.
Additionally, Chief Commissioner of MACC Tan Sri Azam Baki stated on Thursday morning (February 6) that the government will present the amendment to the Whistleblower Protection Act this year.