Comparison of Malaysian and Indonesian Whistleblower Legal Protection as a Tool for Criminalization Elimination
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18196/jmh.v32i1.24751Keywords:
Whistleblower, Comparative Law, Elimination of Punishment, Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, Witness & Victim Protection ActAbstract
Whistleblowers in Indonesia face significant risks due to insufficient legal protection, particularly in cases involving corruption. The absence of comprehensive safeguards often leads to retaliation and even criminalization. This study aims to examine and compare the legal frameworks governing whistleblower protection in Indonesia and Malaysia, with the goal of proposing decriminalization strategies for whistleblowers in Indonesia. Employing a normative juridical approach and comparative legal analysis, this research draws on relevant statutes and case studies from both countries. The results show that Malaysia, through its Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, provides more robust protection mechanisms, including confidentiality guarantees, standardized reporting procedures, legal immunity for disclosures made in good faith, and remedies for reputational harm. In contrast, Indonesia relies primarily on the Witness and Victim Protection Act, which offers limited and less effective protection post-disclosure. Furthermore, Malaysia’s framework clearly defines institutional responsibilities and safeguards against workplace retaliation, aspects largely missing in Indonesia. The study concludes that Indonesia should adopt key elements from Malaysia’s model to strengthen its legal framework. Enhancing whistleblower protections is essential for promoting transparency, accountability, and a more corruption-resistant governance system.
References
Abadi, Abdul Muein, ‘1MDB’s Impact on Malaysia’s Relations with the United States and China during Najib Razak’s Era (2009-2018)’, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13.11 (2023), 8106–19. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v13-i11/19807.
Abdullah, Abdullah, ‘Juridical Study of Corruption Crime in Indonesia: A Comparative Study’, International Journal of Law, Environment, and Natural Resources, 2.1 (2022), 45–61. https://doi.org/10.51749/injurlens.v2i1.22.
Ahmad, Syahrul Ahmar, Noraisah Sungip, Halil Paino, Rahimah Yunos, and Fatimah Hashim, ‘Development of a Crafted Malaysian Whistleblowing Policy Disclosure Index’, Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10.4 (2023), 25–33. https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.104.14044.
Ahmad, Syahrul Ahmar, Noraisah Sungip, and Rahimah Mohamed Yunos, ‘Whistleblowing Policy Disclosure Among Malaysian Listed Shariah-Compliant Companies’, Global Journal Al-Thaqafah, 13.2 (2023), 58–66. https://doi.org/10.7187/gjat122023-5.
Amalia, Riza, FX Sumarja, Muhammad Akib, and Ria Wierma Putri, ‘The Importance Of Whistleblower Protection In The Environmental Sector’, Journal Of Global Research Publications, 1.1 (2024), 26–30. https://doi.org/10.59435/jgrp.v1i1.2024.6.
Che Abu Bakar, Mohd Al Omar, and Mazlina Mohamad Mangsor, ‘It’s Not Enough to Speak, But to Speak True: Revisiting the Whistleblower Protection Law in Malaysia’, Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH), 7.11 (2022), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v7i11.1949.
Fardiansyah, Ahmad Irzal, Muhammad Farid, and Ramadani Fitra Diansyah P, ‘Additional Legal Protection for Corruption Whistleblowers’, Fiat Justisia: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, 18.1 (2024), 19–30. https://doi.org/10.25041/fiatjustisia.v18no1.3273.
Fatmawati, Ade Pipit, and Nurul Hidayah, ‘Analisis Penerapan Whistleblowing System Dalam Pencegahan Terhadap Kecurangan (Fraud) Pada Pt Pegadaian Kantor Wilayah X Bandung’, Land Journal, 5.2 (2024), 372–82. https://doi.org/10.47491/landjournal.v5i2.3639.
Gläser, Micha, ‘Nozick on the Difference Principle’, Politics, Philosophy and Economics, 22.2 (2023), 126–59. https://doi.org/10.1177/1470594X231156931.
Gunawan, Yordan, ‘Arbitration Award of Icsid on the Investment Disputes of Churchill Mining Plc v. Republic of Indonesia’, Hasanuddin Law Review, 3.1 (2017), 14–26. https://doi.org/10.20956/halrev.v3i1.948.
Gunawan, Yordan, M. Fabian Akbar, and Eva Ferrer Corral, ‘WTO Trade War Resolution for Japan’s Chemical Export Restrictions to South Korea’, Padjadjaran Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, 9.3 (2022), 408–31. https://doi.org/10.22304/pjih.v9n3.a6.
Gunawan, Yordan, Ghiyats Amri Wibowo, and Mohammad Hazyar Arumbinang, ‘Foreign Fighters in the Ukrainian Armed Conflict: An International Humanitarian Law Perspective’, Volksgeist: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Dan Konstitusi, 6.2 (2023), 145–57. https://doi.org/10.24090/volksgeist.v6i2.9315.
Hadi, Khairul Anuar Abdul, Rohana Abdul Rahman, and Zainal Amin Ayub, ‘Freedom of Information in Malaysia: International Legal Instruments and Restrictions Under National Law’, UUM Journal of Legal Studies, 15.1 (2024), 221–47. https://doi.org/10.32890/uumjls2024.15.1.10.
Ifejika, Solomon I, ‘The Need For Statutory Protection For Whistleblowers In Nigeria’, Journal of Anti-Corruption Law, 3.1 (2023), 56–75. https://doi.org/10.14426/jacl.v3i.1304.
Johari, Razana Juhaida, Erlane K. Ghani, Fazlida Mohd Razali, and Ayub Khan Dawood, ‘Factors Influencing Whistleblowing Intentions among Government Officials: A Malaysian Study’, Journal of Management World, 2024.1 (2024), 13–20. https://doi.org/10.53935/jomw.v2024i1.270.
Khalid, Afif, ‘Analisis Itikad Baik Sebagai Asas Hukum Perjanjian’, Jurnal Legal Reasoning, 5.2 (2023), 109–22. https://doi.org/10.35814/jlr.v5i2.4644.
Kramer, Matthew H, ‘Hart and the Metaphysics and Semantics of Legal Normativity’, Ratio Juris, 31.4 (2018), 396–420. https://doi.org/10.1111/raju.12223.
Lee, Woo Jin, ‘A Study on the Protection System for Whistleblowers in DIRECTIVE (EU) 2019/1937’, The Korea Association for Corruption Studies, 27.4 (2022), 141–65. https://doi.org/10.52663/kcsr.2022.27.4.141.
Mbimbi, Butrus, David Murray, and Michael Wilson, ‘Preserving Whistleblower Anonymity Through Zero-Knowledge Proofs and Private Blockchain: A Secure Digital Evidence Management Framework’, Blockchains, 3.2 (2025), 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/blockchains3020007.
Meron, Theodor, ‘Closing the Accountability Gap: Concrete Steps Toward Ending Impunity for Atrocity Crimes’, American Journal of International Law, 112.3 (2018), 433–451. https://doi.org/10.1017/ajil.2018.53.
Muhamad Maulana Yusup, ‘Legal Protection for Corruption Crime Reporters (Whistle Blower) in Bandung High Court Decision Number: 32/PID.TPK/2022/PT BDG’, JILPR Journal Indonesia Law and Policy Review, 5.1 (2023), 138–43. https://doi.org/10.56371/jirpl.v5i1.175.
Nugroho, Akhmad Fajar Adi, and R.B. Sularto, ‘The Urgency of Corporate Criminal Liability in Criminal Law in Indonesia’, Melayunesia Law, 4.2 (2020), 130. https://doi.org/10.30652/ml.v4i2.7776.
Paraswansa, Anissa Dinar, and Dwi Cahyo Utomo, ‘Whistleblowing Dan Korupsi Pada Sektor Publik: A Systematic Review’, Jurnal Akademi Akuntansi, 7.1 (2024), 94–113. https://doi.org/10.22219/jaa.v7i1.31336.
Parulian, Parulian, and Nataliana Bebasari, ‘The Role of Wishtleblowing as Mediation on the Effect of Organizational Justice on Employee Fraud’, Jurnal Multidisiplin Madani, 3.10 (2023), 2134–38. https://doi.org/10.55927/mudima.v3i10.6498.
Purnamasari, Pupung, ‘Early Warning System: The Role of Whistle-Blowers To Reduce Corruption in Indonesia and Malaysia’, Jurnal Riset Akuntansi Kontemporer, 15.1 (2023), 27–36. https://doi.org/10.23969/jrak.v15i1.6917.
Rosley, Nurul Anessa, Hasnizam Hashim, and Norman Zakiyy Chow Jen-T’Chiang, ‘Combating the Macau Scam in Malaysia: Strategies for Mitigation and Resolution from Civil Law and Sharī’ah Perspectives’, Law, Policy, and Social Science, 2.2 (2023), 30–44. https://doi.org/10.55265/lpssjournal.v2i2.40.
Salundik, ‘The Urgency of Witness and Victim Protection Institutions Against Organized Crime Eradication Through the Role of Whistleblowers’, Pena Justisia: Media Komunikasi Dan Kajian Hukum, 22.3 (2023), 202–14. https://doi.org/10.31941/pj.v22i3.2956.
Samonek, Aleksandra, ‘Violation of Privacy in Migration Control Decreases Citizens’ Liberties and Public Accountability’, Prace Historyczne, 146.3 (2019), 637–47. https://doi.org/10.4467/20844069ph.19.036.10390.
Sarbini, Sarbini, ‘Eksistensi Asas Proporsionalitas Dalam Hukum Perjanjian: Manifestasi Dan Dinamika’, Al Qisthas Jurnal Hukum Dan Politik, 13.1 (2022), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.37035/alqisthas.v13i1.6465.
Schaffer, Talia, ‘Care’, Victorian Literature and Culture, 51.3 (2023), 363–66. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1060150323000621.
Setyawan, Vincentius Patria, ‘The Importance of Renewing the Whistle Blower Regulation for Corruption Crimes in Indonesia’, Jurnal Hukum Caraka Justitia, 4.1 (2024), 18–30. https://doi.org/10.30588/jhcj.v4i1.1833.
Sunaryo, ‘Konsep Fairness John Rawls, Kritik Dan Relevansinya’, Jurnal Konstitusi, 19.1 (2022), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.31078/jk1911.
Supriansa, Sufirman Rahman, Ilham Abbas, and Hardianto Djanggih, ‘The Essence of Restorative Justice in the Development of Indonesian Law’, Revista de Gestao Social e Ambiental, 18.8 (2024), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v18n8-025.
Ting, Su Hie, Kai Chee Lam, Siau Fan Si, and Kai Wern Chan, ‘Framing of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) Financial Scandal by English and Chinese Newspapers Published in Malaysia’, Jurnal Komunikasi: Malaysian Journal of Communication, 40.1 (2024), 43–60. https://doi.org/10.17576/JKMJC-2024-4001-03.
Udvarhelyi, Bence, ‘Protection of the Whistleblowers - Eu Requirements and Hungarian Solutions’, Studies in Logic, Grammar and Rhetoric, 68.1 (2023), 589–610. https://doi.org/10.2478/slgr-2023-0034.
Vebrianti, Natalia, and Temy Setiawan, ‘Whistle Blowing System Based on Indonesia Case Study: Qualitatives Research’, Saudi Journal of Business and Management Studies, 9.7 (2024), 113–22. https://doi.org/10.36348/sjbms.2024.v09i07.001.
Yanto, Andri, Faidatul Hikmah, and Nabil Abduh Aqil, ‘Reoptimalisasi Perlindungan Hukum Saksi Pelapor (Whisteblower) Dalam Tindak Pidana Korupsi’, Recht Studiosum Law Review, 2.2 (2023), 2985–9867. https://doi.org/10.32734/rslr.v2i1.11278.
Zadyraka, Nataliia, ‘The Principle of Good Faith as the Principle of Implementation of the Administrative Procedure’, Problems of Legality, 163, 2023, 68–79. https://doi.org/10.21564/2414-990x.163.291191.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Asmak ul Hosnah, Norhasliza binti Ghapa, Henny Nuraeny, Sapto Handoyo Djarkasih Putro, Lilik Prihatini
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
