The Official Secrets Act can be used against senior government officials who reveal classified information pertaining to the budget, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Rais Yatim ( photo ) today.

The minister said this in response to Opposition Leader Abdul Hadi Awang's ( photo ) claim that senior government officials gave the opposition information about the 2003 budget which will be unveiled by the government this Friday.

Hadi was quoted in two Malays dailies today as saying that this information helped the Barisan Alternatif to draft a shadow budget.

The alternative budget, dubbed 3Ks Kemakmuran

Keadilan dan Kesejahteraan (prosperity, justice and well-being) was presented in detail at the Parliament meeting room by Universiti Malaya's Prof Dr KS Jomo yesterday.

Abdul Hadi, who is also PAS acting president and Terengganu menteri besar is expected to present the BA budget in Parliament after Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad delivers his budget speech.

Proof needed

Meanwhile, Rais said if the opposition leader revealed "specific data, sources or accounts" when unveiling the budget in parliament, the government will be able to determine where the information was obtained from.

"What Abdul Hadi had said may be his own personal opinion but if it were true that senior government officials have given out secret information, the OSA can be enforced on them.

"The only problem is proof. We have to study carefully before we take any action. Abdul Hadi should elaborate further on what he meant," the minister told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

Abdul Hadi was also reported as saying that these government officials had furnished the opposition the information despite being bound by the Akujanji pledge of good conduct for civil servants.

He added that economic experts in institutes of higher learning and corporate officials were roped in to draft the alternative budget.

No leak

In a related development, Deputy Finance Minister Shafie Mohd Salleh said he was confident that government officials had not leaked the information.

He added that the ministry does not intend to launch a probe or enforce the General Orders unless there is reliable information about the existence of a 'black sheep'.

Shafie stressed that his officers were "professional and specialists" in handling the budget details as they have years of experience on them.

"Abdul Hadi's remarks are provocative and incorrect," he told reporters at a press conference at the Parliament lobby.

On the other hand, Deputy Home Minister Zainal Abidin Zin said the police can commence an investigation based on Abdul Hadi's statement.

"We will find out if Abdul Hadi really made the statement or his press secretary did it. As a Muslim I believe Abdul Hadi is telling the truth," he said when met later.