The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today joined its local affiliate, the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJ), in condemning a reported proposal to introduce harsher punishments under the Official Secrets Act 1972 for whistleblowers and media that report such information.

In a statement, the IFJ said it is joining NUJ’s call on the Malaysian government to guarantee the rights of journalists to protect sources without fear of reprimand.

“The proposed amendments to the OSA are a violation of journalist ethics of protecting one’s source, further weakening the ability of journalists to do their job in an ethical and legal manner.

“We join the NUJ in demanding the Malaysian government immediately guarantee the right to know in Malaysia,” said the IFJ which represents over 600,000 members in 139 countries.

In its own statement, NUJ secretary-general Schave Rozario condemned the reported proposal by attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali as being “cruel” and “undemocratic”.

NUJ’s stand also followed similar criticisms by other local media groups, including the Centre for Independent Journalism, Geramm and Institute of Journalists, as well as the Bangkok-based South East Asian Press Alliance (Seapa).

Whistleblowing not a crime

In an interview with Sin Chew Daily last week, Apandi had reportedly said that the proposed amendments would expand the scope of the law to include journalists, as well as to introduce life imprisonment and 10 strokes of the rotan.

Meanwhile, human rights group Lawyers for Liberty also said that whistleblowing and journalism are not crimes to be prosecuted under the law.

“While the world is moving towards more openness, transparency and accountability in the conduct of government affairs, it is quite deplorable how the AG thought fit to suggest such oppressive and disproportionate punishment for breach of the OSA.

“Though we accept that certain information should be protected as official secrets, for example information relating to genuine issues of national defence or security, when it comes to corruption or abuse of power, no moral government in this day and age can hide behind the pretext of ‘official secrets’,” said LFL executive director Eric Paulsen in a statement.

Paulsen also noted that Apandi’s proposal was made shortly after deputy inspector-general of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim had warned that those who spread “distorted” images of government leaders on social media would be facing action.

In warning that all persons should be equal under the law, Paulsen said: “The general and widely worded offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 is meant to protect ordinary individuals from serious online bullying, harassment or threats – certainly not to protect the prime minister or other authorities from public criticisms, ridicule or other 'offensive' postings.”