Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) has joined the chorus of those wanting the government to protect the whistleblower teacher in the “Tiada Guru” case.
The anti-graft group urges the Education Ministry to protect the teacher concerned from any reprisals.
“TI-M calls on the Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek to ensure the Education Ministry gives whistleblower teacher Nurhaiza Ejab full protection against any form of retaliation or intimidation.
“One of the hallmarks of good governance is being truthful, transparent, and accountable for one’s actions, and to protect whistleblowers who very often take risks in speaking the truth and exposing the wrongdoing.
“This government has an opportunity to use this judgement to improve the governance culture within the civil service,” TI-M president Muhammad Mohan said in a statement today.
TI-M suggested two other ways the government can do so, aside from protecting the whistleblower teacher in the “Tiada Guru” case.
This includes enforcing the “surcharge” clause against any public servant found to have been negligent in performing their duties or abusing their positions.
It also proposed to make it easier for whistleblowers within the private and public sectors to report issues without fear of being reprimanded, harassed, or penalised.
TI-M said creating a culture within the civil service that prioritises accountability will send a strong message.
Nurhaiza was a witness in a civil suit against English teacher Mohd Jainal Jamran for his absenteeism brought by three former SMK Taun Gusi students – Rusiah Sabdarin, Nur Natasha Allisya Hamali, and Calvina Angayung.
Video recordings
The trio alleged that Jainal did not turn up to teach for several months in 2017 and to support this, Nurhaiza provided the Kota Kinabalu High Court with 80 time-stamped video recordings of the class, at times when Jainal was allegedly absent.
Last November, Nurhaiza testified that she was “intimidated” for speaking up by the Language Department head Norhana Idek, and another teacher, Awang Erawan, from the school.
She also alleged that her tyres were slashed in 2015 and she lodged a police report over the matter.
Supporters of the “Tiada Guru” campaign have also since urged the government to provide whistleblower protection for Nurhaiza.
A petition demanding whistleblower protection for Nurhaiza was also launched and it is aimed at getting the attention of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, and then inspector-general of police (IGP) Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani. - Mkini
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