In Malaysia today, the act of exposing a corrupt practice requires more than the courage of skydiving off the Petronas Twin Towers, the foolhardiness of dropping a car in the South Pole and the resilience of achieving one of those silly 'records' in the Malaysia book of records.

Kuala Lumpur Fire Department Deputy Chief Mohd Ali Thambi Chik, who had attempted to expose the alleged corrupt practices in the department yesterday, will not be honoured by our leaders for his actions like they normally do for the frivolous record-breakers. Instead he has already been referred to as a "frustrated officer" and then a "mentally disturbed" person and busted for "illegal meeting".

You can be sure that there will be more such 'honours' in store for him. At worst, he will be lucky not to end up in jail like Keadilan's Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor (under the OSA for blowing the whistle on Umno leaders Rafidah Aziz and Rahim Tambi Chik being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency) and DAP's Lim Guan Eng (under the Sedition Act for championing the cause of an underaged rape survivor).

Why this overzealous defensive measures by the powers that be?

First, if the same alleged acts of abuse of power is the basis to charge the Fire Department's director-general, Jaafar Sidek Thambi for corruption, then a lot of people in high places will probably end up in jail.

Second, an example must be set so that it will not encourage more whistle-blowers to trouble the powerful triangle of corrupt legislator/public servant; selective-enforcer; and beholden-adjudicator. All three mutually-reinforcing with whatever it is that makes them happy — usually and ultimately, ill-gotten wealth.

When a small-time department head can hold a grand wedding for his son like our other illustrious political leaders on their meagre salaries, then Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's call for Kepimpinan Melalui Teladan (leadership by example) has been a resounding success.

I salute you, Mohd Ali Thambi Chik, and I am humbled by your courage. All well-intent Malaysians will be praying for your safety and well-being.