Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang is unfazed by the state government’s warning that he could be charged under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) for exposing a 'confidential' policy proposal.

The proposal, which will be tabled in the Kedah legislative assembly soon, outlines the state government’s plan to allow only Kedahans to buy homes in Kuala Muda and Kulim.

NONE Tan (right) said Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak can issue any threat against him, saying it is typical of the latter to do so when the state's "extreme polices" are exposed.

Kedah Gerakan Youth, he said, will continue to speak up on issues affecting the people.

Tan claimed that the proposal has been sent to stakeholders, including developers, for their feedback.

"(The Real Estate and Housing Developers Association) has been given a week to comment. As such, it's unlikely the documents are subjected to OSA," he told Malaysiakini .

"Perhaps, Azizan should check with his people, including the state legal advisor before issuing such a threat. He needs to be aware of what's happening in his administration and to be familiar with the law.”

Tan's 'facts and figures' disputed

Tan was responding to Azizan's denial of any knowledge of the proposal, in a New Straits Times report.

penang kedah timber logging azizan abdul razak 310708 01 It quoted Azizan (left) as saying it is not wrong for the state to give priority to Kedahans for housing.

He also disputed Tan's "facts and figures", saying the latter could get into trouble, including facing charges under the OSA, if he has had access to confidential files.

Azizan added he would wait for a briefing on this by Housing Committee chairperson Amiruddin Hamzah, who is currently abroad.

In objecting to the proposal, Tan pointed out that the state has never before come up with a policy to exclude buyers from other states, since they are “not foreigners".

He urged the state government to drop the proposal, saying it would retard development in Kuala Muda and Kulim.