Kuala lumpur: The proposed Malaysian Ombudsman is expected to serve as the main mechanism to strengthen whistleblower protection, including preventing leaks of complainants' identities through a centralised complaint management system under a single agency. Principal assistant director, Policy and Research Section, Legal Affairs Division, Prime Minister's Department (BHEUU, JPM) Dr Nur Faiza Iskak said the proposal aims to strengthen the existing system, following cases in which whistleblowers faced retaliation after lodging complaints with enforcement agencies.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nur Faiza highlighted during a roundtable discussion with the Business Chambers of Commerce that the initiative seeks to increase public trust and provide better protection for whistleblowers from enforcement agencies. Alongside Nur Faiza, other panelists included director of Public Sector Reform Division, Public Service Department Syuhaida Abdul Wahab Zen, director National Competitive Section, Malaysia Productivity Corporation Wan Fazlin Nadia Wan Osman, and head of eWORKS Project Management Office, Government Procurement Division, Ministry of Finance Ahmad Fauzi Sungip.
Nur Faiza explained that the proposed mechanism would direct all disclosures and complaints to Ombudsman Malaysia for protection, rather than multiple enforcement agencies as is currently the practice. The centralisation initiative is expected to curb information leakages, particularly involving whistleblowers' identities, while ensuring stronger protection.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said previously mentioned that the proposed Malaysian Ombudsman aims to address public perceptions over the transparency of internal complaint processes. She clarified that the Public Complaints Bureau (BPA) is not ineffective but faces challenges related to public perceptions concerning transparency and outcomes of complaints.
Wan Fazlin Nadia also emphasized the government's goal to complete 500 Reforming Bureaucratic Red Tape (RKB) projects this year to accelerate public sector reforms and enhance service delivery efficiency to businesses and the people. She noted that compliance cost savings from completed projects last year amounted to around RM2 billion, benefiting businesses and the public by reducing processes and procedures.
The RTD was organised by the National Governance Planning Division (BPGN) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as the main secretariat of the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) Special Task Force with the Malaysian Institute of Integrity. It was officiated by Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. Over 100 representatives from business chambers participated, aiming to gather views and feedback for formulating inclusive policies that support sustainable, innovative, and competitive economic growth.