PAS treasurer Dr Hatta Ramli is the fourth opposition leader summoned by the police into an investigation under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) over the disclosure of a toll concession agreement.

Hatta told malaysiakini that the summon of notice was handed over to him at his house in Ulu Kelang by two policemen at about 7pm yesterday.

PKR treasurer Khalid Ibrahim, information chief Tian Chua and DAP's NGO bureau head Ronnie Liu received the same notice on Tuesday.

Hatta said he too, is required to report to the Bukit Aman police headquarters next Monday morning, as the three others.

The four will be quizzed under the OSA for revealing details of the agreement.

Investigating officer ASP A Rajakopal from the Bukit Aman's crime investigation department could not be reached for comment since yesterday.

According to the police summon signed by him earlier, the opposition leaders are required to hand over all documents or copies of documents related to the agreement between the government and Lingkaran Trans Kota Sdn Bhd (Litrak).

They were also reminded that failure to appear on Monday was an offence under Section 11 of the Act.

'Stealing and exhibiting'

The police said they are investigating the matter under Section 8 of the act based on a police report made in Damansara.

Any one found guilty of violating the act will face a mandatory one-year jail sentence.

The four had on Jan 4 showed reporters a copy of the document pertaining to the toll concession agreement for the Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP) highway, operated by Litrak.

They argued that the 200-paged secret documents showed the government had guaranteed profits to concessionaires at the expense of road users.

Following this, Works Minister S Samy Vellu has suggested to the cabinet that the attorney-general take action against those responsible for 'stealing and exhibiting' the toll concession agreements

"It is classified secret ... a restricted document of the government," Samy Vellu was reported as saying.

The minister also said toll agreements between the government and highway concessionaires will continue to be classified as OSA, prompting criticisms from opposition parties and civil society groups.

A police report was lodged by a group of NGOs last Saturday, urging the police to investigate the matter.

In August 2002, ex-PKR Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor was jailed for two years for releasing secret documents regarding corruption investigations against former Malacca chief minister Rahim Tamby Chik and International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz.

His conviction however was quashed by a high court two years later when the court found the prosecution had failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubts.

Ezam has spoken against the police move against the opposition leaders yesterday and criticised the government for getting repressive.