logo
S'wak tables bill to increase state assembly seats from 82 to 99

S'wak tables bill to increase state assembly seats from 82 to 99

Malaysiakini07-07-2025
The Sarawak government today tabled the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025, proposing to increase the number of elected representatives in the state assembly from 82 to 99.
The bill, tabled by Sarawak tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, aims to reflect demographic changes, urban expansion, and the growing need for equitable representation in the state.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

PSmall Change, Big Impact, Whistleblower Act Amendment Passed In Parliament
PSmall Change, Big Impact, Whistleblower Act Amendment Passed In Parliament

BusinessToday

time4 hours ago

  • BusinessToday

PSmall Change, Big Impact, Whistleblower Act Amendment Passed In Parliament

The Dewan Rakyat today passed the Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025, marking a landmark legislation, which amends the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Act 711), which is expected to significantly strengthen safeguards for individuals who report improper conduct, particularly in cases involving public interest. The passage of the bill marks a crucial step in addressing long-standing concerns about the effectiveness of existing whistleblower protections in Malaysia. A key amendment widely lauded is the removal of the proviso in Section 6(1) of the principal Act. Previously, this clause denied protection to whistleblowers if their disclosures contravened any other written law, such as the Official Secrets Act (OSA) or Section 203A of the Penal Code. Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan, debating the bill, highlighted the 'profound impact' of this change. 'The amendment may seem simple, just a deletion of a provision, but its impact is profound,' he told the Dewan Rakyat. 'Previously, whistleblowers were only protected if the disclosure didn't contravene any written law. That meant if they revealed information under the Official Secrets Act (1972) or Section 203 of the Penal Code, they weren't entitled to protection. This effectively disqualified many honest individuals who wanted to report wrongdoing.' The revised clause now allows disclosures made in the public interest to qualify for legal protection, even if the information in question would otherwise be restricted under secrecy laws. Another notable amendment allows authorities to exercise discretion in granting protection to whistleblowers who may themselves be implicated in misconduct, provided that such protection serves the public interest. This aligns Malaysia's approach more closely with international best practices, recognizing that insiders, even those with some involvement, are often the only ones with knowledge of hidden wrongdoing. The bill also includes the establishment of a Whistleblower Protection Committee. This committee will be tasked with overseeing the implementation of the Act, collecting data on whistleblower complaints, and providing general oversight on the powers of enforcement agencies. However, some civil society groups, including the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center), have previously voiced that while a positive step, this committee falls short of a fully centralized, independent whistleblower protection agency, calling for a clear timeline for such an establishment. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said had earlier emphasiaed the importance of whistleblowers channeling their disclosures through proper enforcement agencies to ensure authenticity and avoid risks to national security. She also confirmed that enhanced protections under Section 7 of the Act now include specific references to the Witness Protection Act 2009 (Act 696), allowing for additional safeguards like relocation or new identities in serious cases. Related

Lodge report, name the officer- Kulasegaran
Lodge report, name the officer- Kulasegaran

New Straits Times

time5 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Lodge report, name the officer- Kulasegaran

KUALA LUMPUR: Businessman Datuk Albert Tei has been urged to lodge a report and name the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officer who warned him not to go public about the mineral mining licensing scandal in Sabah. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran in his winding-up debate of the Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025 said the matter was raised by several members of parliament during their debates. "This is a serious allegation and cannot be accepted. "Anyone who reports misconduct must not face obstruction or threats from any party, particularly from authorities responsible for safeguarding whistleblowers under the act. "As such, I would like to advise the individual named Albert Tei to promptly lodge a report on this matter with both the police and the MACC Complaints Committee, in accordance with Section 15 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and to name the anti-graft officer implicated in the allegation," he said. Earlier today, a news portal reported that Tei's lawyer Mahajoth Singh revealed that the businessman had approached MACC but was warned against coming forward regarding the mining scandal. Authorities began their probe after a series of edited videos were published by a news portal in November last year.

Authorities Cannot Threaten Whistleblowers, Albert Tei Asked To Make Report
Authorities Cannot Threaten Whistleblowers, Albert Tei Asked To Make Report

Barnama

time5 hours ago

  • Barnama

Authorities Cannot Threaten Whistleblowers, Albert Tei Asked To Make Report

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- Any individual who comes forward to provide information on any improper conduct cannot be blocked or threatened by any party, including the authorities. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran said this was because the authorities should protect whistleblowers under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Act 711). 'I have taken note of Albert Tei's lawyer today, regarding the allegation that Albert Tei had contacted the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) regarding a corruption scandal but was warned by MACC officers not to appear in public or he would face problems. 'This is a very serious allegation and is completely unacceptable… I would like to advise the individual named Albert Tei to immediately file a report regarding this issue with the Royal Malaysian Police and the MACC Complaints Committee under Section 15 of the MACC Act 2009 (Act 694) by naming the MACC officers involved in the allegation. 'I give full assurance that the MADANI Government will not compromise on issues of threats like these, and that stern action will be taken if the allegation is found to be true,' he said when winding up the debate on the Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Parliament today. The bill was later passed with a majority of votes in agreement after being debated by 24 Members of Parliament (MPs). During the debate on the bill, several MPs raised the issue of a media report today regarding a statement by Albert Tei's lawyer, Mahajoth Singh, who claimed that his client was warned by the MACC not to come forward before he exposed the mining scandal in Sabah. Regarding the Whistleblower Protection Committee in the amendment to the bill, Kulasegaran said the government would ensure that the committee's membership was free from conflicts of interest and of a high calibre. He said that among the proposed members would be parties with knowledge and expertise in the aspect of whistleblower protection, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or civil society organisations (CSOs), as well as academic experts.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store