HIGHER REWARDS FOR WHISTLEBLOWERS CAN CURTAIL COSTLY BLACK MARKET TRADE

KUALA LUMPUR, 13 JANUARY 2022 – Higher rewards to entice whistleblowers to come forth and report misconduct can play a critical role in putting a stop to corrupt practices and stem the multi-billion Ringgit economic leakages caused by illegal trade, said, Dato Seri Akhbar Satar, the Founder and President of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)-Malaysian Chapter, in a statement today. 

This statement was issued following recent controversies surrounding the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Act 711). In addition, the Government has also announced that it is planning to re-evaluate the said Act, which will be tabled in the Cabinet soon.

Dato’ Seri Akhbar Satar, who holds the professorial chair at Institute of Crime & Criminology, HELP University and also the immediate former Transparency International Malaysia President, said, “I am given to understand that the Malaysian Government via its relevant enforcement agencies have enhanced the monetary reward package given out to whistleblowers who have reported a misconduct that resulted in successful enforcement.”

“If this is confirmed, it is a move in the right direction in the efforts to curb corruption and deter illicit trade like illegal cigarettes black market, which has caused the Government to lose about RM5 billion in uncollected tax revenue annually,” he added.

According to Dato’ Seri Akhbar, crime syndicates have infiltrated our law enforcement agencies in a way that has caused those responsible for stopping illicit trade from turning a blind eye to the problem. “Nevertheless, there are still many enforcement officers who have integrity, pride and a sense of responsibility. These are the ones who are contemplating to whistleblow on their colleagues who have broken the law to protect their enforcement institution.”

“Unfortunately, whistleblowers are faced with severe repercussions, including the potential loss of their job. This is where a lucrative reward system comes into play. In addition, higher rewards would also entice criminals themselves to become informants to law enforcement agencies,” he added. 

Dato’ Seri Ahkbar also stressed that high rewards must also be accompanied by a robust and secure witness protection system to safeguard whistleblowers. “There is no point of having high rewards if the whistleblower or informant cannot survive to use it,” he concluded.