KUALA LUMPUR: Police have opened a criminal intimidation probe over allegations that the whistleblower linked to a graft scandal involving state assembly members had received death threats.
Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that the man received two pictures, one showing a pistol with ammunition and another of a person shot in the street.
"The threat was sent via WhatsApp on Monday when a man contacted the 36-year-old victim at 11.06pm for about 16 seconds.
"The victim, who works as a construction works contractor, allegedly received the call while he was at a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur," he told the New Straits Times on Wednesday.
He said the caller claimed to be from a group of assassins and threatened to kill him.
"Fearing for his life, the victim came to the Sentul police station to lodge a police report.
"We have opened a criminal intimidation investigation paper under Section 507 of the Penal Code.
"The Classified Crime Investigation Unit (USJT) is on the case," he said.
It was reported that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) urged the person with video recordings of state assembly members discussing bribes to file an official complaint with the agency.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki was quoted as saying that the agency can offer protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, but the person would have to come forward and follow due procedures.
He said the informant must report the misconduct before law enforcement can start the protection process. MACC, he added, cannot provide any written guarantee of immunity at this point without first being furnished with detailed information about the improper conduct.
Azam however said the law also states that if the individual was found to be involved in the offence, that protection will be revoked.