Malaysia
Pandikar: Former ministers might have breached oath of secrecy
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia holds a press conference at the Parliament, October 27, 2016. u00e2u20acu2022 Picture by Kamles Kumar

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 ― Former ministers Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Husni Hanadzlah might have breached their ministerial oaths by revealing details about Cabinet meetings in Parliament, Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said today.

He added that the MPs might have even broken the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and the Sedition Act with their revelations in the Dewan Rakyat this week.

"You can assess whether those were things he had learnt during his time as a minister or not if the information we get while we are in position. That means we have already gone against the oath.

"That was the Cabinet information. It's clear in the oath, when you take the oath you don't disclose to anyone else the things you learn during your time in position, that's ethics,” Pandikar told reporters during a press conference today.

He was commenting on the speeches made by the lawmakers especially Husni during their debate of Budget 2017.

"There are certain guidelines we need to follow. In parliament we can say whatever and when we are debating no action might be taken, but there are certain acts like the OSA and Sedition Act.

"It is all there, so I advise that although you know something, you need to be careful there is Standing Order 36(12) and so we need to keep certain things in confidence,” Pandikar explained.

He also said it was unethical to reveal private Cabinet matters and former ministers should not misuse their previous posts.

Pandikar however said the Parliament would not be able to take action against them and he could only remind them of their wrongdoing as the House Speaker.

"All I can do is remind them. Remember Sedition Act and OSA. But that's all I can do, just remind them,” he said.

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