The decision on whether Keadilan Youth chief Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor, currently being held under the Internal Security Act, is cleared of Official Secrets Act charges or be required to enter his defence has been postponed to Sept 21.

Sessions Court judge Wan Afrah Wan Ibrahim was scheduled to deliver her judgment today on whether to dismiss OSA charges against the Keadilan leader or order him to enter his defence.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Vong Foh Pah told reporters this morning that the case had been put off, but he did not give the reason for the postponement.

Defence counsel Zainur Zakaria told malaysiakini that he was informed by court officials last Friday that the judge was not ready with her decision.

Ezam, 34, is accused of disclosing at a press conference, details of an Anti-Corruption Agency investigation into International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz and former Melaka Mentri Besar Rahim Tamby Chik.

The former political secretary of jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim faces a mandatory jail term of not less than one year, and not more than seven years, if convicted.

Two-year detention

Ezam is currently serving a two-year detention order under the ISA, which allows detention without trial, for alleged "involvement in a militant attempt to overthrow the government".

He is also facing a battery of other criminal charges including sedition and illegal assembly.

The OSA charges against Ezam included the possession and distribution of secret ACA reports at a press conference.

It is believed that the ACA investigation papers were sent to the Attorney-General's Chambers for further action to be taken against the two politicians.

Ezam is alleged to have committed the offence at the Keadilan headquarters in Kuala Lumpur at 12.35pm on Nov 6, 1999.

The OSA is among a number of controversial laws, including the ISA, which are widely condemned by the opposition.

They charged that such laws are abused by the government in its bid to stifle criticism and keep its hold on power.