Repeal OSA, if Freedom of Information Act enacted, says DAP man

 

Syahredzan Johan, however, said that certain data should be kept secret if it involved national security.

KUALA LUMPUR: A Pakatan Harapan MP wants Putrajaya to repeal the Official Secrets Act (OSA) if it intends to enact the Freedom of Information Act (FOI).

Syahredzan Johan (PH-Bangi) said if the OSA is not rescinded, it would render the FOI “incomplete” and “not comprehensive”.

Last month, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government had agreed in principle to enact the Freedom of Information Act. In line with the decision, the OSA “will also be amended accordingly”, he added.

But Syahredzan said the FOI should replace the OSA.

The DAP man went on to clarify that he was not suggesting that all information be made accessible as there were certain data that should be kept secret if it involved national security.

“However, we need to have a starting point that all information is free to access unless it is categorised (as secrets) with specific reasons on why they should not be made accessible to the public,” he said when debating the 2024 supply bill in the Dewan Rakyat.

Syahredzan said only by coming up with the FOI and repealing OSA could the public be empowered with information.

“Knowledge and information are power.” - FMT