A private company senior executive will be the first individual in Malaysia to be charged in court for taking detrimental action against a whistleblower after he allegedly caused an employee who reported him to the MACC to lose his job.
In a statement, the MACC said the suspect is expected to be hauled to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court tomorrow morning to face a charge under Section 10(3)(b) of the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010.
"The MACC has received the green light from the Attorney-General's Chambers to charge the suspect at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court tomorrow morning.
"The suspect will be charged under the section for causing an employee at the same company to be sacked, after the employee tipped-off the MACC about the suspect's alleged wrongdoings.
"This would be the first case in history where a suspect is charged in court under the section since the Act was enacted in 2010," the statement said.
Under the act, it is an offence for a person to take detrimental action against a whistleblower or anyone associated with the latter.
Anyone found guilty of such offence can be punished with a fine of not more than RM100,000, or a jail term of not more than 15 years, or both.
The MACC said they are really concerned about troubles that whistleblowers have to face for tipping authorities on corrupt practices.
"The law encourages whistleblowers to uncover corruption or any other wrongdoings, and it also provides protection to those who provide information from any detrimental action.
"Thus, the MACC would not hesitate to investigate anyone who tries to take such action against a whistleblower.
"We hope that this case would send a signal to the public to not be afraid in giving their cooperation to authorities," it said. - Mkini
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