Eight non-government organisations comprising mainly media and civil rights watch groups have condemned police investigations under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) against four opposition leaders who had revealed details of a classified toll concession agreement.

In addition, the group, who call themselves the National Coalition for Freedom of Information Act, urged the police to drop the investigations.

On Tuesday, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) treasurer Khalid Ibrahim, PKR information chief Tian Chua and DAP NGO bureau head Ronnie Liu were issued notices to be present at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters. PAS treasurer Dr Hatta Ramli received his notice last night.

The four, who are part of an ad-hoc coalition protesting the recent toll hikes, had exposed the agreement between the government and Litrak, which operates Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP), during a press conference early this month.

"The summonses brought against these individuals were for revealing documents of an agreement between a private company and the government.

"It was not something that was a matter of national security," coalition spokesperson Elizabeth Wong told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today. Also present were Tian Chua, Liu and Dr Hatta Ramli.

"There has been widespread public discontent about recent toll price hikes, as seen in numerous demonstrations and letters published in the media. Despite calls to the government to live up to its promises of transparency, there is been no move to release the agreements," she said.

Repeal OSA

The coalition also wants the OSA repealed and a Freedom of Information Act to be enacted, guaranteeing public access to information held by the government.

"The public has the right to know what agreements have been made in their name, and what costs they will have to bear as a result of these agreements," Wong said, adding that "it was not unusual" for the government to declassify documents.

She cited the example where the government has declassified OSA documents last July to rebut criticisms by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the government's decision to scrap the half bridge project.

She said toll agreements are not the only documents classified under the OSA. Even Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) water concessionaire agreements with the government are classified under the OSA.

Meanwhile, Tian Chua said the protest against the increase in toll rates is still ongoing.

"To show that we are against this, we urge the public to come out and support the cause to fight for freedom their rights. OSA should not be used to stop public discussion. It should be used to protest public interest," he said.

Hatta claimed that the police investigations are an effort by the government to distract the public from the toll hikes, which he described as unfair.

"If they have nothing to hide, the government should be proud to declassify the documents. They should show they have done a good job for the people," he said.

Commenting on the matter, Liu said the four expect to be charged under the OSA soon.

The coalition comprises The Centre for Independent Journalism, Charter 2000-Aliran, Suara Rakyat Malaysia, Coalition Against Water Privatisation, Group of Concerned Citizens, Writers Alliance for Media Independence, Monitoring Sustainability of Globalistion and Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia.