Day: February 13, 2018

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) regrets the finding by the Session Court and condemn the 30-months imprisonment sentence meted to Rafizi Ramli and Johari Mohamad under the Official Secrets Act 1972.

Matter of public interest such as those exposed by Rafizi and other well-intentioned individuals should not have been prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act 1972. Any criminal motion against them can only be construed as an act of desperation to protect corrupt individuals and their political masters. The prosecution and harassment against Rafizi Ramli and others would only serve to empower corrupt individuals who are exploiting state resources for their personal gains.

Recounting the harassment against SUARAM during the exposure of the Scorpene submarine scandal and corruption behind its purchase, it is perhaps unsurprising that the senior leadership of the country would continue to utilize their power and control to support the harassment and prosecution of whistleblowers and protect corrupt individuals among their ranks.

The Federal Government of Malaysia ought to be protecting whistleblowers and public interest as opposed to defending those who embroil themselves in corruption in government linked companies and government agencies. The actions taken by the government against Rafizi and many others only shows that it is insincere in tackling corruption and encouraging whistleblowers activties.

SUARAM reiterate our condemnation against the prosecution of Rafizi Ramli and others and call for all criminal action against them and other whistleblowers to be dropped immediately.