PUTRAJAYA (Dec 3): Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki Azam on Wednesday said businessman Albert Tei Jiann Cheing is not protected under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 because he was involved in the offence.
Azam explained during a press conference on investigations into Tei and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s former senior political secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin Azam that Section 11(1) of the Act clearly states that anyone involved in the offence they report is not eligible for protection.
Azam added that a person cannot reveal information to the public (such as releasing videos to news portals) and then apply for protection. Protection is guaranteed only after a formal, confidential report is made directly to an enforcement agency in accordance with the law.
“I have said this 10 times already that anyone involved in a crime cannot be protected under the Whistleblower Act,” said Azam.
WATCH: Why Tei is not protected under whistleblower law
Tei was arrested at his Puchong residence last Friday, days after he linked Shamsul to the Sabah mining scandal. He and Shamsul are on a six-day remand order the MACC obtained on Saturday.
The two are to be charged for corruption this Thursday (Dec 4), Tei for giving the bribe and Shamsul for accepting the bribe.