The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) said this approach to tackle corruption and leakages in funds would be ineffective and may further consolidate Anwar’s dual power as both the prime minister and the finance minister.
It questioned whether protection for whistleblowers would be guaranteed if civil servants came forward to report directly to Anwar.
“How feasible, effective and impartial would a whistleblowing system concentrated solely on the prime minister be?” it asked in a statement today. “How else can whistleblowing be complemented in order to eliminate wastage and corruption?”
C4 said tabling a procurement bill should be given top priority, while the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 should be revised if Anwar was serious in protecting whistleblowers.
“Amendments must be made to Section 6(1) of the Act to include allowing disclosure to external parties, such as the media, MPs, civil society organisations and other bodies not listed by the Act,” it said.
It said Section 11(1) should also be amended to provide enforcement agencies with discretion to exercise some degree of flexibility to weigh all factors involved when deciding on the revocation of whistleblower protection.
C4 also called for the establishment of an oversight body tasked with deliberating and deciding on the revocation of whistleblower protection.
It said this should be independent of Putrajaya and the prime minister.
“This body should be equipped with the power to oversee decisions made by enforcement agencies to revoke protection under Section 11(1) of the Act as well as to reverse decisions not to grant protection under Section 6,” it said.
“Transparency and effective check and balance by civil servants can only work if there are adequate laws to protect those who are willing to spill the beans on corrupt practices or abuse of power, as well as a dedicated body empowered to receive and process reports by whistleblowers.”
On Monday, Anwar said civil servants should speak up on any action by the unity government found to be in violation of the law, adding that he should also not be spared.