There's a huge storm brewing after Malaysia's top prosecutor, Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi's proposal to make amendments to OSA, saying that the Act can be used against journalists and editors found to have published leaked information
Speaking exclusively to [Sin Chew Daily](http://says.com/my/news/ag-apandi-threatens-life-imprisonment-for-whistle-blowers-and-journalists), A-G Apandi had reportedly said: "We may charge journalists who refuse to reveal their sources. I am not joking. If I have 90 percent of evidence, I will charge the journalist, editor, assistant editor and editor-in-chief. I am serious, no kidding," adding that the government has seen "too many leakages of secrets in Malaysia. The right to know is not granted by the constitution."
Image via Sin Chew Daily
"Amendments will make us a complete dictatorship"
"Amending the OSA is against what PM Najib stands for"
"A-G Apandi will become a lightning rod for public anger"
PKR Secretary-General Rafizi Ramli will launch a social media campaign to reject Attorney-General Apandi's proposal for stricter punishment under the Official Secrets Act 1972 (OSA). The Pandan MP said the proposal must be nipped in the bud as it indicated PM Najib Razak's slide towards authoritarianism to stifle his critics.
An embattled Najib Razak is accused by the opposition of trying to silence his critics.
Image via AFP
Criticising the Attorney-General, the National Oversight & Whistleblowers (NOW) Director Akmal Nasir said the proposal to punish whistleblowers and journalists who report on the government's mismanagement is to directly protect the people who commit the wrongdoings that are leaked to the public
The NOW Director made a name for himself back in 2015, when the whistleblowers group exposed documents alleging financial misappropriation by the state-linked YAPEIM.
Akmal remains confident that NOW would be able to carry on its work even if Apandi's plans to amend the OSA materialises.
