Latest news with #JulianAssange
Focus Malaysia
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Bribe first, blow the whistle when the deal turns sour? Sorry, that is not how the law works
NEWS that authorities plan to charge the so-called whistleblower in the Sabah mineral licence scandal has triggered plenty of public interest. But before anyone rushes to label this a blow to anti-corruption efforts, it is worth looking carefully at the facts. Not everyone who calls themselves a whistleblower is entitled to protection. The law draws a clear distinction between genuine whistleblowers acting in good faith and those seeking to cover their own wrongdoing. In this case, the businessman known as Albert walked into the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and handed over videos and documents that allegedly show bribes were paid to secure mining licences in Sabah. But this was not the action of a neutral bystander. According to reports, Albert himself allegedly paid those bribes. He was right in the thick of the scheme. It raises a simple question: had the deal succeeded, would he have spoken out? Or would this 'hot air blower' have quietly pocketed the profits? Worse still, there is reason to suspect that the entire episode is a set-up. Are we prepared to let anyone with a grievance throw accusations into the public arena and hope that some of it sticks? Are we going to risk setting a precedent that undermines both governance and justice? The businessman's conduct also invites scrutiny. Why the full-face mask in public? Is he ashamed of his role in this saga? Bona fide whistleblowers like Julian Assange or Edward Snowden never concealed their identities. Genuine whistleblowers They stood by their actions. Henceforth, donning face masks give rise to the perception that their wearers might not be genuine whistleblowers but paid agitators with something to hide. In any case, the legal position on whistleblowing is clear. The Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 does not grant automatic immunity to those who took part in the crime. Section 11(1) allows for protection to be revoked if the whistleblower is found complicit. The Act also requires that reports be made in good faith through proper channels, not by splashing edited videos on social media. As MACC's legal head Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin has pointed out, these safeguards are vital. They protect true whistleblowers, not opportunists seeking to escape liability. Otherwise, we end up with a dangerous formula: Step 1: Pay bribes. Pay bribes. Step 2: If successful, enjoy the profits. If successful, enjoy the profits. Step 3: If the deal fails, leak videos and claim whistleblower status. That is not the message Malaysia should send. The country needs real whistleblowers, ie those who step forward because it is the right thing to do – not because their own schemes have failed. Blanket protection for opportunists will only encourage more corruption. In this case, prosecuting the businessman is the right step. It sets a clear standard: genuine whistleblowers will be protected. Those who try to play both sides will not. Corruption must, of course, be tackled. If public officials in Sabah are guilty of wrongdoing, let them face justice. But we should not be so naive as to canonise every self-proclaimed whistleblower who makes headlines. Sometimes, they are only blowing hot air. – June 25, 2025 Main image credit: Malaysiakini
ABC News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Backstory to Assange's secret deal for freedom
A year ago this week Wikileaks founder Julian Assange was released from prison after a 14-year fight for freedom. Assange accepted a guilty plea of conspiring to obtain and disclose classified U.S. documents in exchange for being returned home to Australia. But how did this deal come about and what happened in the lead-up to his return home? Journalist Andrew Fowler shares the inner-dealings and joins the dots on the backstory of the negotiations to release Assange. Guest: Andrew Fowler - journalist and author of The Most Dangerous Man in the World: Julian Assange and his secret White House deal for freedom Producer: Sarah Allely
The Advertiser
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Assange marks first anniversary of release from prison
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is marking the first anniversary of his release from prison in the UK. His wife Stella said he is working on a project to slow the "rush" towards war. In the early hours of June 24 last year, Assange was transported under custody in a high-security convoy from Belmarsh maximum security prison to Stansted Airport. He had been imprisoned in Belmarsh for more than five years and was detained in the UK for 14 years. He flew on an Australian government jet under formal custody to US federal court in the tiny US overseas territory of Saipan in the Pacific Ocean, refuelling in Bangkok. On June 26, a plea hearing in Saipan formally secured his release, conditional on him immediately leaving the territory. Later that day he landed in Canberra where he was reunited with his family. On the anniversary, Stella Assange said: "We were in Europe for the opening of The Six Billion Dollar Man at Cannes, Pope Francis' funeral, and to try to understand where things are heading - politically and technologically. "Julian has been working on something for several months now, and I hope it can help slow the rush toward war. "Three hundred and sixty-five days have passed, but we are light years away from Belmarsh prison. "To all the supporters who helped make this possible, there are no words to express how grateful we are to have Julian free." WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is marking the first anniversary of his release from prison in the UK. His wife Stella said he is working on a project to slow the "rush" towards war. In the early hours of June 24 last year, Assange was transported under custody in a high-security convoy from Belmarsh maximum security prison to Stansted Airport. He had been imprisoned in Belmarsh for more than five years and was detained in the UK for 14 years. He flew on an Australian government jet under formal custody to US federal court in the tiny US overseas territory of Saipan in the Pacific Ocean, refuelling in Bangkok. On June 26, a plea hearing in Saipan formally secured his release, conditional on him immediately leaving the territory. Later that day he landed in Canberra where he was reunited with his family. On the anniversary, Stella Assange said: "We were in Europe for the opening of The Six Billion Dollar Man at Cannes, Pope Francis' funeral, and to try to understand where things are heading - politically and technologically. "Julian has been working on something for several months now, and I hope it can help slow the rush toward war. "Three hundred and sixty-five days have passed, but we are light years away from Belmarsh prison. "To all the supporters who helped make this possible, there are no words to express how grateful we are to have Julian free." WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is marking the first anniversary of his release from prison in the UK. His wife Stella said he is working on a project to slow the "rush" towards war. In the early hours of June 24 last year, Assange was transported under custody in a high-security convoy from Belmarsh maximum security prison to Stansted Airport. He had been imprisoned in Belmarsh for more than five years and was detained in the UK for 14 years. He flew on an Australian government jet under formal custody to US federal court in the tiny US overseas territory of Saipan in the Pacific Ocean, refuelling in Bangkok. On June 26, a plea hearing in Saipan formally secured his release, conditional on him immediately leaving the territory. Later that day he landed in Canberra where he was reunited with his family. On the anniversary, Stella Assange said: "We were in Europe for the opening of The Six Billion Dollar Man at Cannes, Pope Francis' funeral, and to try to understand where things are heading - politically and technologically. "Julian has been working on something for several months now, and I hope it can help slow the rush toward war. "Three hundred and sixty-five days have passed, but we are light years away from Belmarsh prison. "To all the supporters who helped make this possible, there are no words to express how grateful we are to have Julian free." WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is marking the first anniversary of his release from prison in the UK. His wife Stella said he is working on a project to slow the "rush" towards war. In the early hours of June 24 last year, Assange was transported under custody in a high-security convoy from Belmarsh maximum security prison to Stansted Airport. He had been imprisoned in Belmarsh for more than five years and was detained in the UK for 14 years. He flew on an Australian government jet under formal custody to US federal court in the tiny US overseas territory of Saipan in the Pacific Ocean, refuelling in Bangkok. On June 26, a plea hearing in Saipan formally secured his release, conditional on him immediately leaving the territory. Later that day he landed in Canberra where he was reunited with his family. On the anniversary, Stella Assange said: "We were in Europe for the opening of The Six Billion Dollar Man at Cannes, Pope Francis' funeral, and to try to understand where things are heading - politically and technologically. "Julian has been working on something for several months now, and I hope it can help slow the rush toward war. "Three hundred and sixty-five days have passed, but we are light years away from Belmarsh prison. "To all the supporters who helped make this possible, there are no words to express how grateful we are to have Julian free."
Glasgow Times
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Julian Assange marking first anniversary of release from prison
His wife Stella said he is working on a project to slow the 'rush' towards war. In the early hours of June 24 last year Julian Assange was transported under custody in a high-security convoy from Belmarsh maximum security prison to Stansted Airport. Julian Assange was released from Belmarsh prison on June 24, 2024 (Assange family/PA) He had been imprisoned in Belmarsh for more than five years and was detained in the UK for 14 years. He flew on an Australian government jet under formal custody to US federal court in the tiny US overseas territory of Saipan in the Pacific Ocean, refuelling in Bangkok. On June 26, a plea hearing in Saipan formally secured his release, conditional on him immediately leaving the territory. Later that day he landed in his home country of Australia where he was reunited with his family. Julian Assange spent five years, largely in solitary confinement, fighting extradition (Assange family/PA) Mrs Assange said: 'We were in Europe for the opening of The Six Billion Dollar Man at Cannes, Pope Francis's funeral, and to try to understand where things are heading — politically and technologically. 'Julian has been working on something for several months now, and I hope it can help slow the rush toward war. 'Three hundred and sixty-five days have passed, but we are light years away from Belmarsh prison. 'To all the supporters who helped make this possible, there are no words to express how grateful we are to have Julian free.'
Perth Now
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Assange marks first anniversary of release from prison
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is marking the first anniversary of his release from prison in the UK. His wife Stella said he is working on a project to slow the "rush" towards war. In the early hours of June 24 last year, Assange was transported under custody in a high-security convoy from Belmarsh maximum security prison to Stansted Airport. He had been imprisoned in Belmarsh for more than five years and was detained in the UK for 14 years. He flew on an Australian government jet under formal custody to US federal court in the tiny US overseas territory of Saipan in the Pacific Ocean, refuelling in Bangkok. On June 26, a plea hearing in Saipan formally secured his release, conditional on him immediately leaving the territory. Later that day he landed in Canberra where he was reunited with his family. On the anniversary, Stella Assange said: "We were in Europe for the opening of The Six Billion Dollar Man at Cannes, Pope Francis' funeral, and to try to understand where things are heading - politically and technologically. "Julian has been working on something for several months now, and I hope it can help slow the rush toward war. "Three hundred and sixty-five days have passed, but we are light years away from Belmarsh prison. "To all the supporters who helped make this possible, there are no words to express how grateful we are to have Julian free."
