Govt rules out amendments to protect whistleblowers who go public first Posted on February 5, 2025 By serv KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 — The government has no plans to amend the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Act 711) to protect individuals who make public disclosures before reporting to enforcement agencies, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. Whistleblowers who go public first could also have ulterior motives, she noted in the Dewan Rakyat today. Azalina was responding to a supplementary question from Teresa Kok (PH-Seputeh) about whether proposed amendments to Act 711 would introduce exceptions for public-interest disclosures, such as the recent viral video case involving corruption allegations in Sabah. She clarified that for the video concerned, the whistleblower could not be protected under Subsection 7(1) of the act, since the information was disclosed publicly before being reported to authorities. While Section 6(1) of the act allows whistleblowers to report misconduct to enforcement agencies, protection is only granted when the disclosure is made to an agency first and based on specific justifications, she explained. Azalina also revealed that over 20 working committee meetings, five development workshops and six engagement sessions have been held with various stakeholders to review the act. She said those involved, including the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4), Rasuah Busters, Transparency International, the Bar Council and the CSO Platform for Reform, had also provided comprehensive feedback. “Several policy proposals are being considered by the Cabinet for amending Act 711, including the introduction of a standard reward scale to facilitate the reward process for whistleblowers and expanding physical protection for whistleblowers using the Witness Protection Programme under the Witness Protection Act 2009,” she said. — Bernama News
RM463m boost for public transport as Malaysia prepares for Asean chair and Visit Malaysia Year, says DPM Zahid Posted on December 12, 2024 KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 — The Cabinet Committee on Road Safety and Traffic Congestion (JKMKKJR) Meeting Number 3 of 2024 held today approved an allocation of RM463 million to improve public transport services. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this followed the allocation announced in the 2025… Read More
Dzulkefly settles defamation suit against Asyraf Wajdi over X post out of court Posted on January 14, 2025 KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 — The lawsuit filed by Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad against Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki regarding a post on X, which was allegedly defamatory to the Health Minister, was amicably resolved at the Sessions Court here today. Lawyer Datuk SN Nair, representing Dzulkefly, said both parties had… Read More
Terengganu govt agency director among two remanded until Jan 25 in alleged RM900,000 bribery probe Posted on January 21, 2025 CHUKAI, Jan 20 — Two men, including a director of a government agency in Terengganu, have been remanded for six days, starting today, on suspicion of soliciting and accepting a bribe of approximately RM900,000 in exchange for securing a project, preparing, and approving several development plans for a consultancy firm…. Read More