High time Singapore sets up proper whistleblower laws, protection

THE Australian parliament recently passed a host of amendments to the country's whistleblowing laws which will, when they take effect in July, raise the level of protection for whistleblowers and make it a requirement for public (listed) companies and large private companies there to have a whistleblowing policy.

This development Down Under begs the question: When will Singapore see fit to institutionalise legal protection for our whistleblowers?

Whistleblower policies in corporate Singapore are currently of the "optional", "best practices" variety - meaning that the companies that see fit to have one are lauded for setting a good example, but none are required by law or even conduct codes to do so.