18/12/2025

THURSDAY | DEC 18, 2025

5 ‘Don’t weaken whistleblower safeguards’

o Watchdog urges swift enforcement of existing amendments to protect good-faith reporting

He said the proposed changes aim to prevent corrupt individuals and offenders from evading prosecution by claiming cooperation with authorities. “Protection must not be granted indiscriminately to the extent that criminals or corrupt individuals are portrayed as ‘heroes’ simply because they make disclosures after committing serious offences,” Anwar said. According to him, the amendments will introduce clear criteria to differentiate genuine whistleblowers from criminals, including those involved in corruption or robbery who attempt to shield themselves under the law. “These are two entirely different matters that must be clearly separated,” he added. In July, Parliament passed the Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025, amending the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 and paving the way for stronger protections for individuals who report misconduct, particularly in matters of public interest.

“Genuine whistleblowers must be treated as allies in the fight against corruption, not casualties of delayed or poorly calibrated reform,” he added. He reiterated the need for clear definitions of whistleblowers, a good faith reporting standard aligned with UNCAC, strong anti-retaliation and confidentiality safeguards, independent oversight and public education on whistleblower rights. “These positions are consistent with long-standing calls for reform from Suhakam, the Malaysian Bar and civil society. “TI-M stands ready to engage constructively with the government to ensure both the immediate enforcement of existing amendments and that future reforms genuinely strengthen whistleblower protection,” he said. On Dec 16, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told the Dewan Negara that further amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act would be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat next year.

corruption in good faith, while Resolution 10/8 calls for safeguards against retaliation, a reasonable belief standard and the proper application of confidentiality rules,” he noted. He added that international best practice does not require whistleblowers to be “absolutely innocent”, explaining that protection should instead be assessed based on good faith and public interest, while serious wrongdoing is addressed through the criminal justice system. “Authorities must retain discretion to protect whistleblowers whose involvement was minor or incidental, without allowing the law to be exploited as a shield against prosecution,” he said. Raymon also cautioned against over-tightening the Act in ways that could silence insiders with critical information, noting that existing laws already address malicious or false reporting. “Reforms should focus on encouraging truthful disclosures, not raising barriers that discourage them.

PETALING Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) has urged the government to ensure that forthcoming amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 do not weaken safeguards for genuine whistleblowers, warning that such protections are critical in the fight against corruption. Its president Raymon Ram said the government should also expedite the commencement and enforcement of amendments already passed this year, cautioning that continued delays undermine public confidence and leave whistleblowers exposed. He warned that reforms focusing Ű BY HARITH KAMAL AND QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com JAYA:

too narrowly on excluding certain individuals could deter good-faith reporting and erode trust in the system. “Whistleblowers remain one of the most effective mechanisms for uncovering corruption, abuse of power and institutional failure. “It is important to note that amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act were already passed this year but have yet to come into force. “These reforms addressed key weaknesses, including restrictions linked to other laws,” he said in a statement. Raymon stressed that Malaysia’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) are clear. “Article 33 of UNCAC requires states to protect individuals who report

MP backs murder probe

Animal group urges probe into neglect at closed vet clinic PETALING JAYA: Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) has called for an immediate investigation by the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) and police following a case of severe animal neglect at a now-closed veterinary clinic in Damansara Damai, Petaling Jaya. A police report was lodged last Saturday by the clinic’s former employees. Although the premises are no longer in operation, Kalaivanan said those responsible must still be held accountable.

take swift enforcement action and ensure that responsible veterinary staff and clinic management face appropriate charges. He also urged the police to carry out a comprehensive investigation, noting that the case may constitute criminal neglect. “This tragedy highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws in Malaysia. The abuse and abandonment of animals in this manner cannot be tolerated,” he added. Kalaivanan also called for stronger oversight to ensure all veterinary clinics adhere to proper standards of care and responsibility, stressing that preventive measures must be put in place to avoid similar incidents in the future. – by Kirtinee Ramesh

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

“This is a clear violation of both legal and moral responsibilities owed to animals under human care,”he said, describing the incident as a blatant act of neglect. He urged authorities to investigate the case under Section 29 of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, which provides for penalties including hefty fines and imprisonment for individuals found guilty of neglecting animals and causing them unnecessary suffering. Kalaivanan called on the department to

PETALING JAYA: Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran has welcomed the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC) decision to reclassify the investigation into the fatal police shootings in Durian Tunggal, Malacca as murder but questioned why the case was not treated as such from the outset. He said the AGC’s confirmation on Tuesday, agreeing with police recommendations to investigate the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code, alongside a statement by the Inspector-General of Police, reflected a commitment to transparency and marked an important step towards restoring public confidence in due process and the rule of law. However, Kulasegaran said the announcements raised a critical question that remains unanswered, namely under which legal provision the case was initially classified and why a murder investigation was not launched immediately after the incident. “While the reclassification is welcomed, public trust in our institutions can only be maintained if the investigation is conducted swiftly and thoroughly,” he said in a statement. Kulasegaran urged police to secure all relevant evidence and record witness statements while memories remain fresh. “The manner in which the investigation proceeds and its eventual outcome will have wide-ranging implications for public confidence in the professionalism of the authorities, particularly in terms of their willingness to act against those in positions of authority,” he added. He also stressed that the case was a test of the ability of institutions to safeguard the rights and dignity of vulnerable individuals. “The families of those who were shot must be given assurance and confidence that the investigation will get to the crux of the incident. “There can be no compromise when it comes to unlawful actions, regardless of who is involved. The rule of law must be upheld.” The shootings occurred on Nov 24, 2025, when three men aged between 24 and 29 were killed during a police operation at an oil palm plantation at about 4.30am. Police alleged that one of the suspects swung a machete at an officer, leaving a corporal with serious injuries to his arm. The AGC said its preliminary review found that several additional investigative steps still need to be carried out before a final decision can be made.

In a statement, association president Kalaivanan Ravichandran said the organisation was “horrified” by the discovery of a dog and a cat found dead in a cage at the clinic. Both animals were believed to have been abandoned and left to starve. A third animal, a cat, survived and is currently receiving treatment at another veterinary clinic.

Grandson held after fatal stabbing BALING: A 65-year-old woman was killed while her 80-year-old mother was injured after they were attacked by the woman’s grandson, who ran amok in an incident at Kampung Baru Bakai, Malau near here.

According to Brandon, the body of the deceased was sent to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar, while the injured victim was taken to Kulim Hospital for treatment. “The suspect will be brought before the Baling Sessions Court for a remand application and the case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code,” he added. – Bernama

on Tuesday. “The suspect, a 21-year-old man with an intellectual disability, was brought to the police station by members of the public and detained at 7.50pm to assist in the investigation. “He has no prior criminal record and admitted to stabbing his grandmother and great-grandmother at the scene,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Baling police chief Superintendent Brandon Richard Joe said the Malau police station received information from members of the public about the incident at about 7pm

RM1.4 billion in RTD traffic summonses still unpaid KUALA LUMPUR: With the Road Transport Department’s (RTD) 50% summons discount ending on Dec 30, nearly 4.9 million summonses worth RM1.4 billion remain unpaid.

RTD director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said that since the campaign began on Nov 1, 2025, only about 520,000 summonses valued at RM70 million have been settled. “Most of the outstanding summonses involve active offenders and some have been unpaid for more than 10 years,” he said during Operation Luxury 4.0 at the Kuala Lumpur RTD Seizure Depot on Tuesday. Aedy warned that from Jan 1, 2026, the discount will no longer be available and payment rates will revert to their original amounts, describing the scheme as the government’s final opportunity for offenders before the introduction of a time-based payment system. “Unsettled summonses may face stricter enforcement in the future. I urge the public to settle their summonses before Dec 30,” he added. – Bernama

Aedy inspecting a luxury vehicle seized during the operation. – BERNAMAPIC