KUALA LUMPUR — Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng has urged a whistleblower with information on state assemblymen allegedly discussing bribes, to contact him for assistance in raising the matter for swift action.
Lim noted the whistleblower’s concerns on coming forward after Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Tan Sri Azam Baki said the individual must first submit a report before he can qualify for protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act.
“The whistleblower, who holds critical information, seeks full protection before filing a report with the MACC.
“To uphold the law and facilitate justice, I urge the whistleblower to reach out to me before the parliamentary session ends in mid-December.
“I am prepared to present the evidence and disclose the names of those involved in Parliament, pressing for the authorities to take swift and decisive action against them,” Lim said in a statement today.
Lim was refereeing to news on video recordings allegedly showing several state assembly persons in a discussion about accepting large sums of money to support a company’s bid for a state project.
The state and the representatives involve have not been disclosed.
Yesterday, another Pakatan Harapan (PH) lawmaker, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, urged MACC to grant protection to the whistleblower.
The former deputy law minister said MACC should prioritise preventing corruption, since the video’s contents which appear genuine do not render the whistleblower’s claims frivolous.
“There appears to be no reason for MACC to exercise discretion in revoking the immunity of the whistleblower,” Ramkarpal said.
The whistleblower reportedly claims to have notified MACC about the videos last month but withheld details of the states involved, citing fears of retaliation from the implicated politicians.
Yesterday, MACC chief Azam urged the whistleblower to formally lodge a report, a step required to activate protection under the Act.
Malaysiakini on November 9, reported on eight video recordings shared with the portal by the whistleblower which showed several assemblymen discussing bribes given to them in exchange for supporting a project.
Today, the news portal reported that the same whistleblower had sent an official letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim requesting protection before lodging a report with MACC.
According to Malaysiakini, the letter to Anwar states that the top leader of the state concerned is involved in the matter. – November 11, 2024