Salleh defends Najib’s right to confidentiality
Those critical of the PM had best remember he has the right to keep whatever advice given to him by the intelligence community under wraps.
(Free Malaysia Today) – Those who are critical of Prime Minister Najib Razak should remember that it is his prerogative to keep the advice others give him confidential without having to divulge everything to Parliament, Salleh Said Keruak said today in his latest blog posting.
“Those who are raising all sorts of issues against Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak would best take note of this because the PM can take advice from the AG (Attorney-General) and act on this advice and keep this advice confidential.
“And as to what acts can be considered detrimental to the security of the country is entirely based on the advice of the intelligence community, economic sabotage included,” the minister of Communications and Multimedia explained.
He drew parallels to the system in Britain and said the same was practiced there.
He said when the Opposition there asked for details about what was discussed by their prime minister and the AG regarding a pre-emptive measure to launch a drone attack on Isil (Islamic State) in Syria, they were told that details of the advice was confidential.
“When questioned about what exactly did the AG advise, Parliament was told that any advice by the AG is confidential and the PM need not inform Parliament as to what that advice was,” Salleh wrote.
He explained that the Opposition had asked if the drone attack was legal, and that the prime minister had told them that the AG had advised him that it was. The actual advice was confidential and did not require to be shared with Parliament.
“The issue is whether Britain’s action is legal and the AG said it was and that whether the PM needs to reveal this advice and Parliament was told that the advice is confidential.”
