KUALA LUMPUR: The Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 which came into force in 2010 has received positive feedback from society as complaints filed with enforcement agencies rose from 1,960 in 2011 to 11,841 in 2012.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong said the act was to protect the safety of informants on improper conduct offences, disciplinary or criminal, in the public and private sectors.
“A total of 93 informants were given protection following 7,537 complaints filed with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), recipient of most of the complaints,” he said in reply to a question from Senator Datuk Jaspal Singh here today.
Liew also told the senate that individuals who leak information on the informants face a fine up to RM50,000 or jail a minimum 10 years or both. Each complaint received would be promptly investigated while the duration of investigation depends on the complexity of the case, evidence and testimony of the witness.
On the suitability of using social networking sites and short messaging service (SMS) to make complaints, Liew said it could be done if enforcement agencies receive complete information from the complainants.– BERNAMA