Give Sabah scandal whistleblower protection, says Dr M

The whistleblower behind the alleged Sabah corruption scandal should be accorded protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, said former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“Otherwise, whistleblowers would not provide information (on the alleged corruption),” he told reporters in Putrajaya this afternoon.

“I did not follow the reports (on the scandal), but whistleblowers must be protected or they would not give the information,” he added.

The whistleblower is seeking legal immunity in exchange for exposing the scandal which has rocked the Sabah government.

Apart from videos, the businessperson claimed he possesses documents and banking details to prove that he had bribed assemblypersons to support his application for a mineral exploration project.

Previously, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim shot down the immunity request, stating that the bribe giver should also be investigated.

“If there is vague information including whether the whistleblower is also involved in corruption, it must be reviewed and investigated, not give them protection immediately,” he was quoted as saying by Astro Awani on Nov 12.

On Nov 16, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki also ruled out blanket immunity for the whistleblower as the information is yet to be verified.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | Whistleblower Protection Act 2010: What does it cover?

“Firstly, a person cannot expose information of an offence to the public and then request protection for providing information.

“Secondly, a person involved in the offence they are exposing is not eligible to request whistleblower protection,” he said, adding that this is stated under Section 11(1) of the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010.

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