Rafizi: Anwar may not vouch for Deepak's immunity

PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli said de facto party leader Anwar Ibrahim may not be able to give a guarantee of immunity to businessman Deepak Jaikishan and protection under the Whistleblowers Act.

“I don’t think anyone, even Anwar, can give a unilateral guarantee to Deepak. We have to follow the law and the regulations of the agencies involved,” he said when contacted by Malaysiakini.

He was commenting on Deepak’s statement that he was prepared toreveal all the dirt from his dealings involving powerful personalities in the government at Pakatan Rakyat’s mega rally today.

Deepak said he was ready to do this if Pakatan could guarantee immunity for him if the coalition were to form a government after the next general election.

Rafizi (left) explained that Deepak would automatically lose his status as a whistleblower if he made his revelations in public, such as at today’s mega rally.

“The law only gives protection if a person gives information to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) or the police.

“But if the person announces it during a gathering or ceramah, then his protection under the Whistleblowers Act would automatically lapse,” he said. 

Rafizi said this was his personal opinion, and he left the matter to be decided by the leadership of Pakatan Rakyat.

“I think this is a political decision which I leave to Pakatan,” he added.

Deepak emerged today among the Pakatan Rakyat supporters at Stadium Merdeka this morning, about three hours before the Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat was to begin.

Deepak, who was wearing a T-shirt and sports shoes, marched along with PAS leaders and supporters from the party’s headquarters at Jalan Raja Laut at 11am.

“I am here to show my support to all Malaysians. We come together to demand that the government must have free and fair elections. The public has already awaken - this is not a tsunami, this is an earthquake.

When asked whether he would like to speak on the stage later this afternoon, he replied: “If I am given the opportunity, yes.”