KUALA LUMPUR — The whistleblower in possession of video recordings showing several assemblyman discussing bribes has filed a police report over a death threat received.
Malaysiakini reports that the individual lodged the report last night over a WhatsApp call he received from an unidentified foreign number.
The death threat was delivered in Chinese by a man who spoke during the 16-second phone call, the news portal reported.
The whistleblower has been seeking protection from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission before coming forward with more information on the assemblymen, whose names and the state they are from have not been revealed.
However, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki has said that the individual must first lodge a full report, before qualifying to receive protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010.
Malaysiakini on Nov 9 reported on eight incriminating videos shared with the portal by the whistleblower which showed several assemblymen discussing bribes given to them in exchange for supporting a project.
The news portal also reported that the whistleblower had sent an official letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim requesting protection before lodging a report with MACC.
Meanwhile, anti-graft civil society group Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) has called for amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act to guarantee protection to informants.
It also condemned the silence of the majority of MPs and assemblymen, urging them to pile pressure on the authorities to investigate the case.
“This case must be the turning point for corruption amongst parliamentarians and assemblypersons. Rumours of politicians engaging in corruption have circulated publicly for decades, destroying public trust in our democratic institutions. Why are politicians silent?” C4 said in a statement.
“Despite the massive scale of corruption purportedly proven by the whistleblower’s evidence, the focus is still put on the whistleblower and not the alleged crimes.
“If whistleblowers continue to be dismissed, harassed, and forced to go through ‘proper channels’ that are insufficient, then the promise of a corruption free country by the Prime Minister and the MACC cannot be taken seriously,” C4 added.
So far, few MPs have spoken on the matter.
Yesterday, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng urged the whistleblower to contact him and the Pakatan Harapan (PH) lawmaker would reveal the assemblymen’s names and other information in Parliament for the authorities to take action.
Another PH lawmaker, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, urged MACC to use its discretion and grant protection to the whistleblower given the video evidence available. – November 12, 2024