Don't fear reporting graft, govt will protect you, says Dr Mahathir

Andrew Chin Andrew Chin Updated 5 years ago · Published on 20 Jul 2018 2:26PM · 3 Comments

Dr Mahathir Mohamad says the Pakatan Harapan government is business-friendly, and calls for patience as it seeks to 'rebuild the government'. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, July 20, 2018.

PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad called on businessmen to report graft when they encountered it and promised protection for whistleblowers.

He said whistleblowers needed not fear any backlash, as the Pakatan Harapan government was clean and had an anti-corruption agenda.

“I know some business people are corrupt, and that reporting on them could risk retaliation from said person or his accomplices,” Dr Mahathir told some 1,000 attendees at the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industries of Malaysia annual general meeting at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

A recording of his remarks was provided to The Malaysian Insight.

“There is no need to fear. This government is clean. We will protect you from any form of retaliation.”

Malaysia has the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, which critics say is inadequate.

The country also still has the Official Secrets Act, under which people charged can be fined RM1 million or jailed one year, or both, upon conviction.

The Whistleblower Protection Act also requires informants to speak only to enforcement agencies.

Dr Mahathir said the PH government was business-friendly and called for patience as it sought to “rebuild the government”.

“When I became prime minister in 1981, there was little work to do as you only needed to fill empty places with those experienced in running the government.

“Now we need to rebuild the government because so many things have been destroyed.”

Dr Mahathir also said that his PH government would create new laws to replace “draconian laws” that impeded development in the country.

The PH coalition of Bersatu, PKR, DAP, and Amanah ended Barisan Nasional’s uninterrupted six-decade rule of the country.

PH currently controls 116 parliamentary seats, forming the government along with its Sabahan ally Warisan, which has eight seats.

Islamist party PAS controls 18 seats, while BN’s strength was whittled down from 79 to 54 seats after its Bornean components and several Umno lawmakers left the coalition. – July 20, 2018.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • Why are you saying. There has been clear cut case of report against your good friend Taib in Sarawak but you avoided the issues. Walk the talk Mahatir !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .After that go on against all your cronies too that has been too long enjoying on the spills and loots. Are you with us or by selection of choices to your fancies????

    Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • As corruption is reportedly rampant & widespread in Malaysia, the jails will be overflowing & unable to accommodate at least half the population! So then how about declaring an amnesty to offer pardons to those involved? Would be faster to get them reformed..

    Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • I made a Police Report at the Dang Wangi Police Station last month or so, addressing my suggestion above on pardoning corrupt people, to both Tun Dr. Mahathir & the IGP (online to & via Bukit Aman Police HQ) for their consideration..

    Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply