PUTRAJAYA: In response to growing allegations of corruption in Sabah, purportedly captured on video, a non-governmental organisation has lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), urging the anonymous whistleblower to come forward.
Gerakan Kuasa Rakyat Malaysia (G57) president, Datuk Zulkarnain Mahdar, said that the whistleblower, who has yet to approach the MACC, should have done so from the outset. He emphasised that sharing such allegations on social media contravenes Section 25 of the MACC Act, which mandates that anyone offered, promised, or given a bribe must report it.
"Instead of lodging a report with the MACC, the whistleblower chose to make these allegations public on social media. Failing to report a known corrupt act is an offence," he told reporters outside the MACC headquarters on Friday (Nov 13).
"You (the whistleblower) are aware of corruption, yet you didn’t report it to the MACC. That’s why I lodged a report today (Nov 15) — to urge the MACC to investigate the matter and obtain information from the relevant parties," he added.
When asked about the aim of his report, Zulkarnain explained that it was to facilitate the anti-graft agency’s investigation and to remind whistleblowers of the proper procedures in such situations.
"There is a perception that the MACC is inactive, but how can they act without a formal report? I filed this report because the whistleblower did not.
"It serves as a reminder: if you have information on corruption, you must report it to the MACC. In my report, I included several documents to assist the MACC in investigating both the whistleblower and the complainant," he said.
Zulkarnain also called for the whistleblower and the complainant — allegedly a former CEO of Sabah Mineral Management (SMM) Sdn Bhd — to come forward, stressing the issue’s seriousness.
He expressed confidence that the MACC would protect them, remarking, "Whistleblowers are protected here."
Recently, news portal a local news portal reported eight video recordings allegedly showing a state assemblymen discussing sums ranging from hundreds of thousands to RM4mil with a businessman in exchange for a state project.
The businessman, who remains unnamed, claims to have these recordings and has sought whistleblower protection from the MACC.
On Nov 9, MACC commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki revealed that the businessman had yet to file a formal report. The MACC would need to authenticate his claims and the videos before considering his request for whistleblower status.
Since the businessman’s appeal for protection on Oct 30, social media has been flooded with at least a dozen alleged covert videos involving state officials.
Sources familiar with the case indicate that the businessman, believed to have links to a mining company, is seeking the return of payments made for a project he never received.
