KOTA KINABALU : The individual behind the leaked government classified documents has been identified and action will be taken based on the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, without revealing the government officer’s background, said they will leave it to the police and other authorities to investigate.
“As I mentioned previously, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has the forensic capabilities to identify the individual.
“It will not just affect the individual losing his or her job but punishment is based on the Act,” he told reporters after a gathering with the civil servants in Sabah here today.
On July 27, Ali via a Twitter posting confirmed that MCMC had began a probe into the matter.
Delivering his keynote address to civil servants earlier, he reminded such behaviour would not be compromised as it involved the integrity of public service.
“Integrity does not just involve corruption elements but also leaking sensitive documents. That is why I advise government officers and staff on what can be shared and what should not be made public,” he said.
In relation to that, he reiterated civil servants must continue serving the government of the day and carry out their policies.
“There are no two ways about it. Some people are defensive and do not want to share information or documents with the new administration.
“You must not get emotional. Otherwise you must go through a ‘rehabilitation phase’ and if you still can’t (accept), you will have to be shown the door (to exit),” he stressed.
When asked how to go about the rehabilitation process, he replied, ”This is an ongoing process. Even officers who score less than 60 per cent in terms of evaluation, we send them for rehabilitation.
“We put them under different supervisors and retrain them for six months. If they still do not perform well, then we have exit policies and all that in the civil service,” said Ali.
Earlier in his speech, he said Sabah had many leaders with calibre, noting the appointment of Darell Leiking, Datuk Liew Vui Keong and Datuk Mohammad Din Ketapi in the Federal cabinet.
He also highlighted Tan Sri Richard Malanjum as the first Chief Justice appointed from Sabah and said these were all good indications and hoped more leaders from this State would be recognised.