KUALA LUMPUR: The government will study the Official Secrets Act 1972 (OSA) as well as the Freedom of Information Act for improvements before tabling them in Parliament, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong.
He said the process will take up to a year before a final decision can be made on the matter.
“In the process, we will have to gather feedback from ministries involved as well as hold discussions with the stakeholders.
“We need to scrutinise this matter thoroughly as to whether we can merge these Acts or otherwise.
“Everything is still at the discussion stage,” he told reporters when met at the Parliament on Tuesday.
He said the improvements which are being mulled are to ensure that the Acts remain relevant with the times.
“Some information is considered official and should be kept in secret, especially on issues pertaining defence, which cannot be disclosed to the public.
“The same applies to issues on national security which cannot be disclosed.”
Recently, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in an interview with Malaysiakini, said the OSA will be kept.
Dr Mahathir said the Act had been abused before, but believes that it should be maintained.