Azam mentioned that until now, the whistleblower had refused to hand over the evidence he has as he is still seeking some kind of protection or immunity from the MACC.
“That one I stress here again, we can’t give him any protection as long as he doesn’t divulge what he has.
“So, I can’t comment so much. This is his decision because he came to the office together with his lawyer and was advised by his lawyer.
“That’s what I can say for now and the investigation will continue,” he added.
Pressed on the immunity request, Azam said: “I can’t assure protection until he gives us all (evidence).
“What happened now, he gave to you all (media), not to MACC.”
Lawyers do have their uses and this sort of negotiation is one of them, as the MACC head clearly knows.
Threatening and intimidating whistleblowers by demanding they surrender information without any assurances that they will be protected is a sure way to discourage people from revealing the material they have access to.
The consequence is to protect corrupt officials who abuse office, which is against the public interest and certainly against the stated remit of the MACC.
It is exactly how the former prime minister behaved during the 1MDB affair and everyone could see it for what it was.
The present MACC should speak with the lawyers of the alleged whistleblower and come to an arrangement rather than telling the media they must surrender all up front and then bear whatever consequences he chooses to inflict.