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

Prime Minister's Department Law Minister Azalina Othman Said indicated on August 18 that the government is contemplating a review of the 1972 Official Secrets Act (OSA) as part of an ongoing reform agenda. The Ministry acknowledged the need to modernize the legislation to ensure its continued relevance in the present day. However, Minister Azalina clarified that the prospect of abolishing the OSA is not under consideration, stating, "We have to do a proper study because it (the OSA) has to change with time."

In addition to the potential review of the OSA, Minister Azalina confirmed that the constitutional amendment bill aimed at separating the roles of the Public Prosecutor and the Attorney-General is prepared for submission to the Dewan Rakyat, Malaysia's lower house of Parliament. However, the timing of when the bill should be introduced is contingent upon Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim securing a two-thirds majority vote from the floor.

Azalina disclosed that the draft bill has already undergone scrutiny by a multi-party Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSPC), which provided its approval. Originally scheduled for debate during the March sitting, the constitutional amendment bill was forwarded to the PSPC for further examination due to opposition from certain government backbenchers.