Malaysiakini.com reported on 8 May that Nazri, in reply to a question from the MP for Kota Raja, Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, said that the government will not enact such laws. The minister also implied that the Official Secrets Act (OSA) was here to stay when he further said that the government could declassify documents at anytime. 

Nazri's statement is an indictment of the ruling government's continued inaction as regards corrupt practices and an indication that it does not welcome public checks and balances. It is clear that the government prefers the continued entrenchment of the OSA, which criminalises individuals who expose official corruption and, as such, instils fear in potential whistleblowers from passing on such information of vital public interest. 

In stating that official documents may be declassified, Nazri's implication that Malaysians have an open government is also questionable when it is on record that the authorities punish whistleblowers when their interests are at stake. In 2007, the government thrice invoked the OSA against members of one of the rival political parties of the ruling government, Parti Keadilan Rakyat, on three separate occasions: i.e., for revealing the toll concessionaire agreement, commenting on the corruption of the police force, and exposing the video clip of a senior lawyer in an apparent act of brokering judges' appointment.

By maintaining the status quo, the ruling government is only perpetuating the erosion of its credibility and increasing doubts about its sincerity in fighting corruption.

We urge the government hasten reform toward transparency and openness. The government should enact FOI and whistleblower protection laws if it is sincere about abiding by the people's demands and getting rid of corruption.

The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free, where all people enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek, and impart information.