KUALA LUMPUR: PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli is afraid that the Official Secrets Act (OSA) amendment would affect his involvement in the case under the Banking and Financial Institutions Act (BAFIA) 1989, so much so that he is attempting to rally the media's support.
Saying this today, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said Rafizi had shown that he was "fearful" and "desperate" by criticising and initiating a social media campaign against Attorney-General Tan Sri Apandi Ali's proposal on the OSA amendment.
"He (Rafizi) has no legal immunity or privilege especially in his BAFIA case which has yet to reach a conclusion, but this has also made him arrogant as shown in his criticism against others.
"He is a Member of Parliament and he can debate the amendment if it is brought to the Dewan Rakyat," she said in a statement today.
Azalina said the Pandan MP's act of obtaining confidential information especially from financial institutions were against the law and can be seen via his attempt for political publicity through the exposure of facts that confuse the people.
"His actions should be investigated to determine the sources and validity of the information he had disclosed.
"During parliamentary seatings, he mentioned that he obtained leaked information regarding the purchase of government assets and this in itself calls for immediate investigation," she said.
Azalinq said it was imperative that the four-year old BAFIA case is handled so that it would become a legal precedent for the nation's financial sector.
"This issue does not only affect individual rights but it could also jeopardise the economy and national security".
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters after the MCA Chinese New Year open house here today, Azalina said the AG's proposal to amend the OSA was timely and necessary.
"Apandi is only concerned about the leak of confidential information and how there have been various breaches when it comes to classified government information.
“You don’t see this happening in other countries but it occurs often in Malaysia. How can we govern if there is a lot of breaches by government officers and third parties?” she said.
Reporting by HANA NAZ HARUN, ALIZA SHAH and LAILI ISMAIL