Fahmi: Leaked JAC document could have violated OSA

The Star

5 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Authorities need to investigate the authenticity of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting minutes that went viral on social media on Saturday, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
He said that if the document was verified as authentic and classified as confidential, its publication or distribution could have legal implications, particularly under the Official Secrets Act.
'I understand a police report has been filed. I cannot confirm whether the document circulated is authentic or not.
'If it is a genuine and classified document, then the Official Secrets Act applies.
'Therefore, we need to be cautious and avoid disseminating classified documents.
'We leave it to the police to conduct the investigation, but so far, I have no information,' he told a press conference after officiating the Malaysian Institute of Public Relations (IPRM) You & AI: MEET@BANGSAR programme here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Also present were the Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (strategic communications and creative industry) Nik Kamaruzaman Nik Husin, Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting and Information Institute director Roslan Ariffin and IPRM president Jaffri Amin.
The alleged minutes of the JAC meeting, said to have occurred in May, have spread on social media since Saturday, reportedly starting from Reddit before going viral on Facebook and X.
Regarding the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's action against the dissemination of the document on social media, Fahmi said any action would only be taken based on public reports, and the authority to remove content is subject to the discretion of the respective platform.
As for the police, it said that an investigation has been launched into the alleged leak and dissemination of what is believed to be confidential minutes from a JAC meeting.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail confirmed that the police had received a report on the matter.
The case is being handled by the classified crime investigation unit under the Bukit Aman criminal investigation department.
The investigation is being conducted under Section 8 of the Official Secrets Act, Section 203A of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
'The focus of the investigation is on the disclosure and distribution of the information, including its spread on social media,' Mohd Khalid said.
The police also reminded the public not to share any classified documents or information marked as confidential or restricted.
'Stern action will be taken against any parties found to be involved in leaking or spreading such information,' he said in a statement.
KUALA LUMPUR: Authorities need to investigate the authenticity of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting minutes that went viral on social media on Saturday, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
He said that if the document was verified as authentic and classified as confidential, its
publication or distribution could have legal implications, particularly under the Official Secrets Act.
'I understand a police report has been filed. I cannot confirm whether the document circulated is authentic or not.
'If it is a genuine and classified document, then the Official Secrets Act applies.
'Therefore, we need to be cautious and avoid disseminating classified documents.
'We leave it to the police to conduct the investigation, but so far, I have no information,' he told a press conference after officiating the Malaysian Institute of Public Relations (IPRM) You & AI: MEET@BANGSAR programme here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Also present were the Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (strategic
communications and creative industry) Nik Kamaruzaman Nik Husin, Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting and Information Institute director Roslan Ariffin and IPRM president Jaffri Amin.
The alleged minutes of the JAC meeting, said to have occurred in May, have spread on social media since Saturday, reportedly starting from Reddit before going viral on Facebook and X.
Regarding the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's action against the dissemination of the document on social media, Fahmi said any action would only be taken based on public reports, and the authority to remove content is subject to the discretion of the respective platform.
As for the police, it said that an investigation has been launched into the alleged leak and dissemination of what is believed to be confidential minutes from a JAC meeting.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail confirmed that the police had received a report on the matter.
The case is being handled by the classified crime investigation unit under the Bukit Aman criminal investigation department.
The investigation is being conducted under Section 8 of the Official Secrets Act, Section 203A of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
'The focus of the investigation is on the disclosure and distribution of the information, including its spread on social media,' Mohd Khalid said.
The police also reminded the public not to share any classified documents or information marked as confidential or restricted.
'Stern action will be taken against any parties found to be involved in leaking or spreading such information,' he said in a statement.