KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has yet to receive any official complaint from any party, including the whistleblower who claims to possess an audio recording of a state assembly member (ADUN) allegedly discussing bribery worth hundreds of thousands of ringgit.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the whistleblower's lawyer met with commission officials on Oct 30.
"During the meeting, the whistleblower's lawyer only played a 17-second audio recording, in which several individuals were heard discussing money.
"He did not disclose the identity of the involved assemblyman and said his willingness to provide further evidence if the MACC signed an agreement assuring that his client would not be placed under investigation," he said when contacted today.
Azam said that the MACC officials, however, refused to sign such an agreement, as it does not comply with the commission's legal procedures.
During the meeting, the lawyer also expressed a lack of trust in the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, stating that he believes the Act to be insufficient and unable to adequately guarantee his client's protection.
"The MACC cannot provide any written immunity assurance that any individual will not be investigated or prosecuted if they provide information while being involved in corrupt practices themselves," he said.
Azam said that the MACC's actions are rooted in law, ensuring all reports are handled fairly and professionally, while any allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated without favour to any individual.
He therefore urged the whistleblower to come forward and file an official report with the MACC to initiate protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010.
"The Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 states that an individual in possession of information must first disclose the misconduct, as defined by law, before the protection process can begin," he added.
Earlier, an online portal reported the existence of at least eight video recordings allegedly implicating several ADUNs in discussions of bribery worth hundreds of thousands of ringgit, reportedly given to them in exchange for obtaining projects in a particular state.