Using the Official Secrets Act (OSA) to hide the government's dirty secrets, especially those that adversely affect the public, is futile in this day and age, says pro-transparency group National Oversight & Whistleblowers Centre (NOW).

"Anyone who has access to the information, and have a conscience and bravery, can come forward as a whistleblower, NOW director Akmal Nasir told Malaysiakini last night.

As such, he laments attorney-general (AG) Mohamed Apandi Ali's plans to strengthen the OSA to punish whistleblowers and any journalists who protect them, with life imprisonment.

"This is as though it is meant to protect those who do wrong," Akmal said.

He said most information leaked is in the public interest, and only happen when an organisation fails to deal with internal financial leakages, mismanagement, and corruption.

"Leaks will stop when the swindling stops," Akmal said, adding that the best way to plug leaks is to punish those whose misdeeds are being exposed.

NOW not cowed by AG's plans

Apandi yesterday told Sin Chew Daily that he plans to increase punishments under the Official Secrets Act (OSA), which currently range from between one to seven years in jail, to life imprisonment.

The AG said journalists who refused to reveal their sources who leaked state secrets would also not be spared.

Akmal made a name for himself last year, when NOW exposed documents alleging financial misappropriation by the state-linked Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia (YPEIM).

He remains confident that NOW would be able to carry on its work even if Apandi's plans to amend the OSA materialise.

"Even when faced by challenges, including legal pressure, NOW will still remain relevant to the public as long as corruption, leakages, and abuse of power continue in this country," he said.

In recent months the government has been strengthening laws that allow it to take actions against dissenters, criminals and terrorists, though critics say that such provisions can also be used to silence legitimate criticism of the government.

The proposed OSA amendments sees another restrictive law being upgraded, in addition to new draconian laws being enacted.