THE Malay word “sulit” often translates to “difficult”, but can also mean “confidential”.

Under the Official Secrets Act 1972, a document classified as “confidential” can be “official secret”, which is defined under section 2 of the act as “any document specified in the schedule and any information and material relating thereto and includes any other official document, information and material as may be classified as ‘top secret’, ‘secret’, ‘confidential’ or ‘restricted’, as the case may be, by a minister, menteri besar or chief minister, or a public officer appointed under section 2B”.

The schedule lists the following documents as “official secrets”:

– Cabinet documents, records of decisions and deliberations, including those of cabinet committees

– State exco documents, records of decisions and deliberations, including those of state executive council committees

– Documents concerning national security, defence and international relations

Section 2B empowers a minister, menteri besar or chief minister of a state to appoint any public officer by certificate under his hand to classify any official document, information or material as “top secret”, “secret”, “confidential” or “restricted”.

Does a document of a private limited company qualify as an “official secret” simply because it has the word “sulit” on it?

Why would a minister, menteri besar or chief minister, or a public officer classify a document of a private limited company as an “official secret”? – May 25, 2023.

* Hafiz Hassan reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.