Whistleblower sends letter to PM, implicates state's 'top leader'
RK Anand
Published: Nov 11, 2024 3:28 PM
The whistleblower in possession of video evidence regarding an alleged corruption scandal involving several politicians has sent an official letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim requesting he be granted protection before lodging an MACC report.
The letter, a copy of which was furnished to Malaysiakini, claimed that apart from the eight assemblypersons, the state’s “top leader” (pemimpin tertinggi) was also involved in the matter.
It contained certain allegations of abuse of power against the top leader which the whistleblower requested Malaysiakini not to expose at the moment.
Prepared by his lawyer Mohamed Izwan Azmi from Izwan Mazniza Kamil and Associates, the letter stated that the total amount of the alleged bribe was RM4 million.
The letter, which was sent this morning, was also forwarded to MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki.
It is learnt that the letter was drafted after one of the prime minister’s aides reached out to the whistleblower following his comments in a Malaysiakini article where he expressed concern over potential reprisals and appealed for Anwar to intervene.
“Our client has solid evidence, including screen captures of WhatsApp conversations with the YBs (assemblypersons) involved, documents and HD (high definition) video clips in which the YBs admitted to receiving the bribes.
“For your information, our client is prepared to be the complainant in this case, surrender the evidence and become a witness for MACC,” read the letter.
However, the letter said the whistleblower is concerned about the influence of the politicians and that MACC would use the evidence to turn the tables on him.
Dealing with MACC for more than 2 weeks
The letter disclosed that the whistleblower has been attempting to secure a written guarantee from MACC for more than two weeks.
“It is with regret that we inform you that although Mr Izwan from our side (the legal firm) had sent two letters to MACC and went to the MACC headquarters three times to discuss the matter, including meeting with the head of the intelligence unit, MACC remains firm in not wanting to provide a written guarantee unless our client presents himself with all the evidence.
“MACC is also steadfast in its refusal to issue a guarantee that the protection accorded under the Whistleblower Protection Act would not be revoked,” it added.
The legal firm stated that it has received instructions from its client to appeal on his behalf for Anwar’s assistance in securing a black-and-white guarantee.
“Our client believes that the protection he is requesting should be considered by YAB Dato Seri (Anwar) and MACC because this would remove the uncertainties in providing immunity for our client as a whistleblower.
“Our client is worried about the influence and political powers of the YBs involved because according to our client, even ‘walls have ears’ where the confidentiality of the information and evidence submitted as well as the safety of our client cannot be ascertained.
“Our client is concerned that MACC would arrest and prosecute him if he presents himself (at the commission) without a written guarantee (in hand),” it added.
Kepong MP: Give me their names
The firm said although MACC has informed that no complainant has ever been charged, the whistleblower is still not convinced because of the influence and power of those implicated.
“Our client believes if YAB Dato Seri (Anwar) can give the appropriate instruction to MACC regarding the request for a written guarantee, it would encourage more whistleblowers to come forward.
“Our client is convinced that if the corruption activities of the eight YBs are exposed, it would heighten the government and MACC’s (reputation) for integrity, not only in the eyes of Malaysians but also internationally,” it added.
Published: Nov 11, 2024 3:28 PM
The whistleblower in possession of video evidence regarding an alleged corruption scandal involving several politicians has sent an official letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim requesting he be granted protection before lodging an MACC report.
The letter, a copy of which was furnished to Malaysiakini, claimed that apart from the eight assemblypersons, the state’s “top leader” (pemimpin tertinggi) was also involved in the matter.
It contained certain allegations of abuse of power against the top leader which the whistleblower requested Malaysiakini not to expose at the moment.
Prepared by his lawyer Mohamed Izwan Azmi from Izwan Mazniza Kamil and Associates, the letter stated that the total amount of the alleged bribe was RM4 million.
The letter, which was sent this morning, was also forwarded to MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki.
It is learnt that the letter was drafted after one of the prime minister’s aides reached out to the whistleblower following his comments in a Malaysiakini article where he expressed concern over potential reprisals and appealed for Anwar to intervene.
“Our client has solid evidence, including screen captures of WhatsApp conversations with the YBs (assemblypersons) involved, documents and HD (high definition) video clips in which the YBs admitted to receiving the bribes.
“For your information, our client is prepared to be the complainant in this case, surrender the evidence and become a witness for MACC,” read the letter.
However, the letter said the whistleblower is concerned about the influence of the politicians and that MACC would use the evidence to turn the tables on him.
Dealing with MACC for more than 2 weeks
The letter disclosed that the whistleblower has been attempting to secure a written guarantee from MACC for more than two weeks.
“It is with regret that we inform you that although Mr Izwan from our side (the legal firm) had sent two letters to MACC and went to the MACC headquarters three times to discuss the matter, including meeting with the head of the intelligence unit, MACC remains firm in not wanting to provide a written guarantee unless our client presents himself with all the evidence.
“MACC is also steadfast in its refusal to issue a guarantee that the protection accorded under the Whistleblower Protection Act would not be revoked,” it added.
The legal firm stated that it has received instructions from its client to appeal on his behalf for Anwar’s assistance in securing a black-and-white guarantee.
“Our client believes that the protection he is requesting should be considered by YAB Dato Seri (Anwar) and MACC because this would remove the uncertainties in providing immunity for our client as a whistleblower.
“Our client is worried about the influence and political powers of the YBs involved because according to our client, even ‘walls have ears’ where the confidentiality of the information and evidence submitted as well as the safety of our client cannot be ascertained.
“Our client is concerned that MACC would arrest and prosecute him if he presents himself (at the commission) without a written guarantee (in hand),” it added.
Kepong MP: Give me their names
The firm said although MACC has informed that no complainant has ever been charged, the whistleblower is still not convinced because of the influence and power of those implicated.
“Our client believes if YAB Dato Seri (Anwar) can give the appropriate instruction to MACC regarding the request for a written guarantee, it would encourage more whistleblowers to come forward.
“Our client is convinced that if the corruption activities of the eight YBs are exposed, it would heighten the government and MACC’s (reputation) for integrity, not only in the eyes of Malaysians but also internationally,” it added.
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki
However, the letter did not mention which state the assemblypersons are from. Malaysiakini is also withholding their identities based on the whistleblower’s request.
Last Saturday, Azam told Malaysiakini that his officers had met the whistleblower’s lawyer on Oct 30 where only a 17-second video clip of “people talking about money” was played.
Urging the whistleblower to come forward, he said MACC cannot provide a written guarantee that he would not be investigated or prosecuted.
Azam stressed that the law states that when the individual provides the information to the authorities, he is protected under the law but this can be revoked if he or she is found to be involved in the offence.
In a related development, DAP lawmaker Lim Lip Eng urged the whistleblower to present him with the evidence and names of the assemblypersons so that he could raise the matter in Parliament.
“To uphold the law, I urge the whistleblower to reach out to me before the parliamentary session ends in mid-December.
“I’m prepared to present the evidence and disclose the names of those involved in Parliament, pressing the authorities to take swift action against them,” the Kepong MP said in a statement.
However, the letter did not mention which state the assemblypersons are from. Malaysiakini is also withholding their identities based on the whistleblower’s request.
Last Saturday, Azam told Malaysiakini that his officers had met the whistleblower’s lawyer on Oct 30 where only a 17-second video clip of “people talking about money” was played.
Urging the whistleblower to come forward, he said MACC cannot provide a written guarantee that he would not be investigated or prosecuted.
Azam stressed that the law states that when the individual provides the information to the authorities, he is protected under the law but this can be revoked if he or she is found to be involved in the offence.
In a related development, DAP lawmaker Lim Lip Eng urged the whistleblower to present him with the evidence and names of the assemblypersons so that he could raise the matter in Parliament.
“To uphold the law, I urge the whistleblower to reach out to me before the parliamentary session ends in mid-December.
“I’m prepared to present the evidence and disclose the names of those involved in Parliament, pressing the authorities to take swift action against them,” the Kepong MP said in a statement.
Rumour has it..Selangor
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