INTERVIEW: The Official Secrets Act 1972 (OSA) allows the government to classify any document as secret and jail those who release such information for up to seven years.<br /><br />The law has long been considered a tool to enable the government to keep its affairs opaque – or worse, to cover up its scandals.<br /><br />In an interview with Malaysiakini, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad concurred that the OSA was previously abused, but believes that the law should still stay.<br /><br />In its election manifesto, Harapan promised to revamp the OSA with an accompanying Freedom of Information Act.
