An Internal Whistle-blowing Policy for A Malaysian City Council – A Qualitative Approach

Abstract

Increasing population and socio-economic inequality have led to rampant bribery and corruption in urban areas. City councils around the globe were accused for poor governance, inefficient and lack of transparency and hence are demanded to initiate policies in making urbans harmonious and peaceful areas to reside. Many believe that whistleblowing is one of the effective ways to ensure these expectations are realised. Yet, many have lack of courage to perform this noble deed for feared of mistreatments, punishments, termination or even life threatening. Malaysia is not spared either. To inculcate this noble deed, an effective policy of whistleblowing is essential, which has yet to be established in any of Malaysian City Councils. Triggered with the issue, the objective of this study is to explore and develop a model of whistleblowing policy. Data were collected through personal interviews and focus group discussions with a city council’s officials by applying hermeneutic phenomenology approaches. From the analysis using Nvivo 14 and triangulating with other reliable documents, the results indicated six themes. The emerging themes were internal policies, protection and security, financial incentives, recognition and reward, e-reporting as well as ethical organizational culture. The discoveries provide beneficial insights to the government, policy and law makers, city councils, academicians of a model of internal whistleblowing policy. This model can be applied not only by a Malaysian City Council but also to councils in other countries. Hence, the whistleblowing policy is aligned to the United Nation’s sustainable development goals: that is making urbans inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable places for settlements.