Govt bans recording at ‘sensitive’ meetings

 

A no-gadget sign attached to the circular by chief secretary to the government Mohd Zuki Ali.

PETALING JAYA: The government has ordered a ban on handphones and other recording devices from government meetings at all levels that are classified as sensitive.

In a circular issued in April and seen recently by FMT, chief secretary to the government Mohd Zuki Ali said this came after civil servants had exposed and published classified and high-risk information on public platforms.

Zuki said the civil servants used mobile phones to record the information.

He said department heads or chairmen of meetings were authorised to declare meeting rooms as “no handphone or recording device” zones and bar attendees from taking them in.

However, if the mobile phones were allowed in the meeting rooms, the heads could prevent their use by requiring that they be switched off or left on flight mode. They could also be allowed to be switched on but not used.

He acknowledged that the gadgets were useful for quick communication, but said their uncontrolled use would result in information leaks that could be dangerous for the administration.

“This ban is aimed at stopping any misuse that can damage the image of the government through viralled audio or video clips before an official decision is announced to the public,” he said.

Zuki said meetings that needed this form of control involved matters that, if leaked to the public, could endanger the nation, affect the economy and cause difficulties to the government and damage its reputation.

Among the important meetings that fall into this category are:

• Cabinet meetings;
• State exco meetings;
• National security, defence and international relations meetings that involve important decisions;
• Tender board meetings; and
• Meetings discussing enforcement measures.

He said civil servants attending such meetings must be informed of the recording ban in the invitation letters, adding that the notice to this effect must also be prominently displayed in the meeting rooms.

“Action will be taken against any officer who fails to adhere to this ban. If there is any action from this violation that results in security or criminal breaches, it will be classified under the Official Secrets Act,” he said. - FMT