By The Star


A former CEO seeking protection as a whistleblower contended in the High Court that he was qualified for protection even after his contract ended.

Dr Syed Omar Syed Agil is seeking protection as a whistleblower for exposing the alleged financial improprieties of his colleagues.

The 56-year-old was made CEO of Institut Profesional Baitulmal Sdn Bhd (IPB) on Sept 1, 2014, and suspended on Oct 7, the following year.

Counsel Aston Paiva submitted in court yesterday that the Whistleblower Protection Act also applied to those who had been terminated.

“My client is a whistleblower under the Act, but detrimental action was taken against him.

“He was suspended and subjected to disciplinary action.

“We are saying that all these actions are a reprisal for lodging reports with the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission,” he said.

Dr Syed Omar is also seeking an injunction to restrain the company, which runs the private college that is 70% owned by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council, from continuing an internal probe against him.

He had raised the alleged financial irregularities with the company chairman and council before lodging complaints with the authorities.

IPB’s counsel Fakhrul Azman Abu Hasan had submitted previously that since Dr Syed Omar’s contract had expired last Aug 31, the issue had become academic.

The hearing before Justice John Louis O’Hara would continue on Jan 20.


Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/01/04/former-ceo-seeks-protection-my-client-qualifies-as-a-whistleblower-lawyer-tells-court/