Amended Act 711 Signals Strong Political Will For Governance Reform - Analysts

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- Amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Act 711), passed by the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday, have been seen as a clear manifestation of the MADANI Government’s political will to strengthen integrity, transparency, and accountability in national governance.

Political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian described the move as a catalyst for institutional reform that could encourage more people to come forward and report misconduct, thereby reinforcing the existing legal framework.

“This clearly demonstrates the government’s commitment to enhancing enforcement and safeguarding the rights of whistleblowers in line with practices in developed nations,” he told Bernama when contacted.

He also stressed the importance of establishing robust audit and monitoring mechanisms to ensure the authenticity of disclosures and prevent misuse for personal or political gain.

“When trust in the system is established, more individuals will be willing to come forward without fear of repercussions,” said the lecturer of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Social Sciences.

Another analyst, Mujibu Abd Muis, described the amendments as a significant milestone, particularly the establishment of a Whistleblower Protection Committee to oversee the comprehensive implementation of the law.

He noted that this new mechanism would reduce previous reliance on bureaucratic discretion by agencies such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) or the National Audit Department.

However, Mujibu cautioned that successful implementation would require more than just legal changes; it demands a cultural shift within the public administration.

“In an administrative culture that remains hierarchical and feudalistic, many still fear administrative or social retaliation. Legal reform alone won’t suffice if the prevailing ‘culture of silence’ persists,” he said.

The amendments, he added, also reflect the government’s seriousness and political will to align domestic laws with international standards such as those outlined by the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and Transparency International.

To ensure long-term effectiveness, Mujibu proposed the implementation of independent annual audits, open reporting systems, parliamentary oversight, and cooperation with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) as a credible and impartial entity.

Key amendments to Act 711 include the removal of limitations under Section 6(1), allowing disclosures of misconduct to be made to enforcement agencies even when other legal restrictions apply.

Additionally, the amendments recognise whistleblowing that involves confidential contractual information, provided it is done in good faith and in the public interest.

-- BERNAMA