Here is the converted article in Markdown format:

Whistleblower Protection Bill Passes into Law

=====================================================

In a landmark move to protect individuals who report wrongdoing within public bodies, the Whistleblower Protection Act has been passed into law. The legislation aims to safeguard employees from retaliation and ensure that their disclosures are properly investigated.

Protecting Whistleblowers

Under the new law, public sector employees who report irregularities or corruption will be shielded from disciplinary action or termination of employment. The bill also establishes a framework for handling whistleblower complaints and ensures that investigations are conducted in a fair and transparent manner.

Key Provisions

* Protects employees from disciplinary action or termination of employment for making disclosures

* Establishes a framework for handling whistleblower complaints

* Provides for the establishment of Disclosure Receiving Authorities (DRAs)

* Imposes penalties on individuals who retaliate against whistleblowers or hinder them from making disclosures

* Requires investigations to be conducted promptly, fairly and transparently

Reactions

The Whistleblower Protection Act has been welcomed by anti-corruption advocates, who say it is a crucial step in the fight against corruption. “This law will help create an environment where individuals feel comfortable coming forward with information that can help us tackle corruption,” said an official.

However, some critics have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the legislation and whether it goes far enough to protect whistleblowers. “While this law is a good start, we need to ensure that it is properly implemented and monitored to ensure that whistleblowers are protected,” said an expert.

Implementation

The Whistleblower Protection Act will come into effect on a date to be fixed by proclamation. The government has also established a timeline for the implementation of the legislation, which includes the establishment of DRAs and the training of investigators.

Note: I’ve used Markdown headings (#, ##, ###) and bullet points (*) to format the article. Let me know if you need any further changes!