The Institute of Journalists Malaysia (IoJ) notes with grave concern attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali's plan to increase already heavy penalties on individuals involved in revealing "official secrets" and expanding the scope of the law to include journalists .

While the institute does not condone any act that would compromise the proper functioning of the government, it is at the same time apprehensive of any attempt to increase punitive measures against those seeking to reveal the truth on cases of public interest.

Individuals who choose to act as whistleblowers and journalists who decide to run with the information after having performed due diligence, should not be penalised for seeking to highlight issues that deserve public attention, especially when there is no substantial oversight of government activities.

The Official Secrets Act (OSA) 1972 has also been described as a controversial law that has "hidden thousands of sins", according to senior Umno lawmaker Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

The IoJ maintains that it is a journalist's duty to protect the identity of a source as part of the universally accepted ethical practice of journalism, while at the same time paying heed to existing local laws.

The Institute is of the position that public interest, and ultimately national interests, would be better served by allowing public access to information through a Freedom of Information Act to replace the OSA.

This will make sure that those elected and appointed into positions of power are held to account and bound to the principles of transparency as the country looks to stamping out corruption and abuse of power.

IoJ is a professional body of journalists, aimed at promoting professional standards and ethics; uphold and defend the professional interests of all journalists; uphold and defend freedom of the press and freedom of expression; and endeavour to bring together the Malaysian journalistic fraternity.