Law minister: Government considering review of Official Secrets Act, ready to table the AG-PP bill in Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 - The Malaysian government is contemplating a review of the Official Secrets Act (OSA), alongside other reforms, according to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. The legislation, established in 1972, necessitates modernization to maintain its relevance.

However, Azalina clarified that abolishing the act is not under consideration. "We need to conduct a thorough study, as the OSA needs to adapt over time," she stated to reporters when questioned about the required revisions to the legislation.

Additionally, Azalina affirmed that the constitutional amendment bill, aimed at separating the roles of the Public Prosecutor and the Attorney-General, is prepared to be presented in the Dewan Rakyat. The timing of this presentation, however, rests with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who must secure a two-thirds majority vote from the House floor before introducing the bill.

If Anwar decides to submit the bill for a vote during the upcoming Parliament session, it will be tabled then. Azalina affirmed that the bill is already prepared for voting, as a multi-party Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSPC) has reviewed and endorsed the draft. Originally scheduled for debate in March, the constitutional amendment bill was instead forwarded to the PSPC for additional assessment due to opposition from some government backbenchers.