MPs raise concern over whistleblower bill amendments

 Lawmakers from both sides of the political divide say the proposed reforms fall short, potentially opening the door to political interference.

MPs expressed concern in the Dewan Rakyat today over the effectiveness of the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 in protecting those who spoke out publicly. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR:

 Opposition and government MPs have called for better amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, warning that the current draft lacks teeth and could enable political interference.

Wong Chen (PH-Subang) said he supported the bill in principle but described it as “not very substantive”.

He said that whistleblowers should be allowed to report wrongdoing beyond just the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) or the police, especially since misconduct could involve enforcement agencies themselves.

“In developed countries like the UK, France, and Sweden, whistleblowers have the option to report to the media.

“The bill should be amended to protect whistleblowers who go to the media or MPs,” he said when debating the bill in the Dewan Rakyat.

He also questioned the independence of the proposed whistleblower protection committee, whose members would be appointed solely by the minister.

“At least four could be appointed by the minister, and the remaining three should be appointed by NGOs or the Bar Council. Otherwise, it looks bad on the government with a reform agenda,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mumtaz Md Nawi (PN-Tumpat) raised concerns about enforcement, asking how many whistleblowers emerged during the 1MDB case and whether they were adequately protected.

Doris Sophia Brodi (GPS-Sri Aman) welcomed the bill as “a step forward and brave” but warned that it should not become just a data collection mechanism.

Tabling the bill earlier, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said the amendments aimed to make it easier for whistleblowers to come forward, ensure disclosures were properly handled, and offered stronger protection against retaliation.

She cited international models from the UK, Australia and New Zealand, where whistleblowers were protected even when disclosing confidential information, if done in the public interest.

From 2011 to 2023, 74,614 complaints in Malaysia were investigated, but only 1,139 individuals were formally recognised and protected as whistleblowers, she said.

“We must create a safer environment so that more people are willing to come forward without fear of legal or physical repercussions,” she said. - FMT