Not a whistleblower if complicit, says MACC of third man to be charged in Sabah mining scandal
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed that the individual set to be charged alongside two Sabah assemblymen in connection with a corruption case involving mineral mining licences is not protected under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010.
Its Legal and Prosecution senior director, Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, said Section 11(1) of the Act clearly states that anyone involved in the offence they report is not eligible for protection.
'If a person is involved in the wrongdoing, they are not protected under the Act and therefore cannot be considered a whistleblower,' he told Bernama yesterday.
He said to qualify for protection, a report must be made in good faith to a recognised enforcement agency such as the MACC, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), or other authorised government bodies.
'Reports made with malicious intent, such as to seek revenge or defame others, do not meet the criteria for protection,' he added.
Wan Shaharuddin also stressed that a key requirement under Section 11(1) is that the whistleblower must not be complicit in the wrongdoing being reported. If found otherwise, any protection granted may be revoked.
'This is to preserve the integrity of the whistleblower framework and prevent it from being misused as a 'shield' by those trying to escape accountability,' he said.
Earlier, the individual's lawyer claimed his client was a whistleblower who had cooperated with authorities but was later informed he would be charged in court on June 30.
Recently, several video clips allegedly featuring conversations involving certain individuals and Sabah elected representatives discussing corrupt practices linked to mineral mining activities went viral on social media.
Previously, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that two Sabah assemblymen and another individual are expected to be charged in court this month in connection with the scandal. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
33 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Influencer accused of sneaking into celebrity's home backpedals on guilty plea, says she'll prove innocence
SEREMBAN, June 19 — Social media influencer Nurul Nur Ariani Muhammad Zahar pleaded not guilty at the Magistrates' Court today to a charge of trespassing into a celebrity's residence earlier this month. Her counsel, Mohd Anif Rafih, informed Magistrate Saiful Sayoti that the accused intended to change her initial plea, following which the charge was re-read to her. Nurul Nur Ariani, 41, claimed trial to a charge of criminal trespass for allegedly entering the premises of a house in Kampung Chelet, Nilai at around 5.00pm on May 7. She was charged under Section 447 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of six months' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM3,000, or both, upon conviction. Police prosecuting officer ASP L. Rathna requested a new mention date for the submission of documents. On May 19, the influencer pleaded guilty to the charge before Sessions Court Judge Mohamad Kamil Nizam. The court had then fixed today for the presentation of case facts and sentencing to take place at the Magistrates' Court. Meanwhile, another defence counsel, Amer Haiqal Mohd Yusof, told reporters after the proceedings that the accused had not received proper legal advice before entering the earlier plea. 'My client now wishes to proceed with a trial to contest the case and prove her innocence,' he said. — Bernama
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Daim's wife seeks IPCC probe over alleged police inaction
PUTRAJAYA: Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid, the wife of former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, has urged the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) to investigate a report alleging 'abuse of power at the highest levels of government, following delays in police action'. This follows a Bloomberg report last year which, citing sources, claimed that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was instructed to investigate Daim, as well as former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his sons. Na'imah said that despite lodging a police report on the matter nine months ago, no investigation officer (IO) had been assigned to the case. "In September last year, there was a report by Bloomberg stating that they had information that the prime minister had given instructions to the MACC to investigate my late husband, Tun Dr Mahathir, as well as our families. "Soon after, I made a police report because if the contents of the article are true, then it means there was an abuse of power by the prime minister, which is an offence. "However, no investigation has been done, and there has been no follow-up at all until today. "We also do not even know who the IO is for this report, which is why I came to the IPCC to find out why the police have not taken any action," she said at a press conference today after lodging a complaint with the IPCC. She was accompanied by her lawyers Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreetraj Singh. Asked whether she was given a timeline for the investigation to take place by the IPCC, Na'imah said she was informed that it would take two to three weeks. Last year, a Bloomberg report, citing sources, claimed that the MACC was instructed to investigate Daim as well as former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his sons. According to the report, the instruction was purportedly given by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, a claim the Prime Minister's Office denied. Anwar also said the government was considering legal action against Bloomberg over the report that MACC acted on his instructions during investigations into certain individuals. MACC also denied receiving directives on its investigation and said all enforcement actions were taken "without fear or favour" and interference from any party. Following the report, Na'imah then lodged a police report alleging abuse of power at the highest levels of government. Meanwhile, Na'imah also called for a task force or special commission, similar to those formed in previous high-profile cases such as 1MDB, to be established for the investigation. "There should be a commission or something similar to when they handled the 1MDB investigation. "If you are going to investigate something as serious as an allegation of abuse of power, it needs to be brought to a higher level, perhaps through a task force or special committee. "As such, I hope the IPCC will investigate my report without fear or favour and find out why no action has been taken so far," she said.
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Sukuk misuse case: MACC at Tan Sri's house for third round of questioning
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigators are currently at the residence of the Tan Sri linked to a probe into the alleged misappropriation of sukuk funds meant for a highway project in the Klang Valley to record his statement on Thursday (June 19). The area near the residence is guarded by auxiliary police, with cones placed to deter public access. Previously, the MACC investigators recorded the statements of the Tan Sri on June 11 and 12. MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki had said the highway concessionaire is a key witness in the investigation. On June 3, the MACC disclosed it had seized assets worth around RM143mil in the probe, which centres on the alleged misappropriation of sukuk funds for a Klang Valley highway project. Investigators are also tracing luxury vehicles and properties linked to the Tan Sri, including assets in London and Switzerland.
