When API comes under OSA

In the midst of the smog shrouding many parts of the country, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak decreed (NST, June 25, 2004) that the true accounting of the haze in Malaysia must be kept secret as the real figures (of the Air Pollutant Index [API]) would be ‘distorted by the foreign media’ and, consequently would be injurious to the country’s economy (read tourist ringgit).

This government move, although not terribly unexpected, risks the health of the Malaysian citizens at the expense of monetary gains. Moreover, it makes a mockery of that much touted slogan of yesteryear, ‘Caring Society’.

Malaysian citizens have the right to know the real situation of the haze, especially if and when the pollutant index reaches a dangerous level. It is crucial that they know the reality so that they can be prepared for any eventuality. This is certainly not a matter of ‘what you don’t know won’t hurt you’.

Besides, hiding the API from the full view of locals as well as the foreign media will only fuel unnecessary speculation and set the rumour mills in motion. Fear can be easily magnified among the people when there are no hard facts and figures to rely on.

Furthermore, putting the API under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) only reinforces the suspicion that the government is often happy to keep vital information away from public domain. This has always been the concern of many critics of the government when the OSA was tightened further in the recent past.

Just a few days ago, it was reported in the local media that there were calls made by Tourism Ministry officials not to highlight incidents of snatch theft for fear of scaring away foreign tourists. A few commentators in the press rightly condemned such a move.

We wait with abated breath for a similar unequivocal criticism from them against the government’s move to keep the API secret. We hope we won’t have to suffer from a bout of breathlessness - not necessarily due to the haze - as we wait.