He said discussions were being held with the attorney-general on updating the 15-year-old law.

“MACC is very involved in this legal reform because we see the necessity and effectiveness of this law for our work. It is hoped that the bill will be tabled in the third parliamentary meeting this year,” Azam told reporters.

One of the key improvements under consideration is to provide enhanced protection for whistleblowers who unintentionally disclose corruption-related information to parties other than the authorities.

Currently, whistleblower protection is revoked if the individual is found to have shared information with anyone other than MACC, Azam said.

“Secondly, protection should be extended to individuals who, under certain circumstances, are compelled to be involved in a case even if their role is minimal but still wish to come forward with information.

“Under the existing law, even the slightest involvement disqualifies them from protection. We are reviewing amendments to allow exemptions for those willing to provide information to enforcement agencies, especially MACC,” he said.

Azam said the proposed changes would also enable private sector organisations with their own whistleblower protection programmes to be legally safeguarded. Currently, only enforcement agencies have the authority to provide such protection.