Plugging leaks - gov't to amend OSA next year, says Hanipa

PARLIAMENT | The government is expected to table an amendment to the Official Secrets Act 1972 (OSA) aimed at plugging information leaks in government agencies, de facto deputy law minister Mohamed Hanipa Maidin said today.

"The amendment to OSA is expected to be tabled in Parliament in 2020 after approval by the cabinet," he told Dewan Rakyat during the question-and-answer session.

"We are reviewing and studying the amendment needed for the OSA to streamline the existing provisions to curb information leak incidents especially in this era of information communication technology and threats," he said.

He pledged that the Pakatan Harapan government, unlike the previous government, would not abuse the OSA.

He said the government will also table a new Freedom of Information Act (FOI) to offset the impact of the OSA.

The government, while emphasising on the need for secrecy, will at the same time also ensure transparency, said Hanipa.

[More to follow]  - Mkini