Inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar today said whistleblowers would be protected if they use the proper channels, including not revealing what they know to the media.
"Whistleblowers are surely protected under Malaysian law, provided they come in the proper way, legally [.]
"The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) welcomes genuine whistleblowers," he said in a Twitter posting.
He added that publicising the information they possess to the media could potentially cause chaos.
"Trumpeting so called 'true revelations' through the media will only invite misunderstanding, incorrect perceptions and chaos," tweeted the top cop.
Khalid's comments come after police on Thursday hauled up The Edge publisher Ho Kay Tat over the publication's expose about alleged misappropriation in the Finance Ministry-owned 1MDB.
Putrajaya has accused The Edge of trying to destabilise the government through its reports.
Allegations of siphoning
Ho is being investigated under Section 124D of the Penal Code related to activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
The publication had obtained leaked information belonging to PetroSaudi International, which included the oil company's email correspondence with 1MDB on their joint-venture activities.
The Edge claimed this information suggested approximately US$1.83 billion was siphoned out of the joint-venture.
This comes amid a special taskforce investigation into allegations that RM2.6 billion was deposited into the private bank accounts of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
Under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, informants are not allowed to reveal their information to the media if they are to qualify for protection.
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