Whistleblower did not file report with MACC

The whistleblower involved in a corruption case concerning state assemblymen has yet to file an official report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, said Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.

He added that while the individual had previously submitted a letter seeking protection, they had not taken the critical step of making a formal complaint.

“As I said earlier, the individual accused of recording conversations and possibly being involved in related transactions has not come forward to file an official report.”

The case, which garnered significant public attention, saw MACC engaging directly with the legal representative of the individual to address the matter discreetly.

To respect the legal profession, I directed two senior officers to meet the individual’s lawyer for private discussions. Unfortunately, the issue was later made public, leading to various reports in the media,” he said in a press conference.

When asked about the applicability of whistleblower protection in the case, Azam clarified that the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 would not shield individuals who were also complicit in the reported misconduct.

“If the person claiming to be a whistleblower was directly involved in the same improper misconduct or criminal transactions, the protection does not apply.”

He also addressed claims circulating on social media, including a 17-second audio clip allegedly tied to the case.

He said such information was insufficient as evidence.

“As an investigative agency, we cannot rely solely on material shared on social media. The audio clip is too brief to provide any substantive leads.”