KUALA LUMPUR – Some 21 opposition MPs have called on the government and authorities to stop pursuing legal action against whistle-blowers, and to instead acknowledge and respect their roles as ombudsmen exposing alleged corrupt practices among senior officials.
In a statement today, the MPs urged for investigations into whistle-blowers, in particular into journalist Lalitha Kunaratnam, to be halted.
They likened such action to harassment against her for exposing alleged wrongdoings of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
The MPs pointed to investigations initiated against PKR Youth and Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik for their peaceful protests as a waste of resources, saying their energy should be focused on handling the bigger issues at hand.
“Instead of wasting valuable police resources and time on people speaking up in the public interest on these issues, the authorities should focus on thoroughly investigating Azam, instead of believing his mere words without proper evidence.
“The government should cooperate with whistle-blowers who have released damaging evidence and acknowledge their contributions instead of treating them like wrongdoers,” the MPs wrote.
Among the MPs who endorsed the statement include former federal ministers Maszlee, Teresa Kok, Sivarasa Rasiah, Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa, Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, Pejuang’s Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah, and Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, and PKR Youth chief Akmal Nasir.
The lawmakers also prompted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to act fast to solve the current issue, and at the same time called for Azam to be put on leave while investigations are ongoing.
They said Azam’s insistence on remaining in power while refusing to clear the air despite several opportunities to do so appeared similar to how former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak also chose to remain silent in the wake of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal until he was voted out of office.
“Azam should take leave of absence or be suspended to allow for an independent and transparent investigation instead of refusing to budge from his powerful civil service role.
“This is a blatant abuse of power. He instead filed a RM10 million defamation suit against Lalitha while still not having cleared the air on his alleged misdeeds. This is unnecessary and uncalled for by Azam,” they wrote.
The MPs also called on Ismail Sabri to extend the one-day special Dewan Rakyat sitting meant to discuss the floods to allow the lawmakers to discuss other pressing issues like the accusations against Azam.
They added that ongoing silence from the government would only be to their detriment over their commitment to fight corruption.
“Ismail Sabri and his government need to act fast on this matter as the actions of the authorities so far do not show that Perikatan Nasional is taking corruption issues seriously,” read the statement.
Other MPs endorsing the statement include DAP’s Kasthuri Patto, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim, Kangar MP Noor Amin Ahmad, Beruas MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham, and Pokok Sena MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar.
Yesterday, Azam, through his lawyer Megat Abdul Munir, filed a RM10 million suit against Lalitha which included an injunction against her, her agents, and her family from making any defamatory statements against him.
Azam will also be required to attend proceedings of the parliamentary select committee that is set to convene on January 19 to discuss the allegations. – The Vibes, January 13, 2022
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