KUALA LUMPUR – Putrajaya is studying possible amendments to the Official Secrets Act 1972 (OSA) to ensure that it is relevant to current times, said Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
In his parliamentary written reply to Wong Shu Qi (Kluang-PH), the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department added that they are also working to ensure that the upcoming Freedom of Information Bill is in line with the OSA.
“We must take into consideration the implications towards national security, defence, and international relations if Act 88 (OSA) is abolished.
“At the same time, we are making considerations to ensure that provisions in the Freedom of Information Bill are in line with the Official Secrets Act 1972, which will continue to be enforced.
“On this matter, a review and further study is being conducted by the department responsible for this matter to amend certain provisions in the OSA and ensure that it is relevant to current times,” said Wan Junaidi.
Earlier, Wong asked the prime minister whether the government is looking to abolish the OSA in light of the Freedom of Information Bill.
She also asked how the government plans on reconciling the two bills, in the event that Putrajaya has no plans on abolishing the OSA.
Wan Junaidi added that based on engagement sessions since 2019 till today, a policy paper to draft the Freedom of Information Bill is expected to be presented to the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption in December.
The policy paper will contain analysis based on stakeholder engagements and studies on similar legislation in other countries, including how it will work with the OSA.
In a separate question, Wong also asked the Prime Minister’s Department on the number of investigations, charges, and convictions on laws that control freedom of speech from May 2018 to October this year.
In his reply, Wan Junaidi broke down the number of cases based on the respective legislations.
Under the Sedition Act 1948, there were 362 investigations, 46 charges and 17 convictions.
The Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 saw 473 investigations, 22 charges and 17 convictions in that time period.
Meanwhile, the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 saw 30 investigations being opened, 12 charges, and five convictions. – The Vibes, November 17, 2021
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