Shaziman attacked reporters today for questioning him on the Bukit Antarabangsa report. — File pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 — An agitated Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor today could barely maintain his composure as he attacked reporters for asking him questions regarding the blanket ban on the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide report.
"It's very simple, I hope you can actually understand what I'm saying. For example, you ask an architect (let's use JKR) to design your house. When the design is complete, JKR will give it back to you.
"When it is ready, does the architect need to tell the whole world the details of your house?" said a red-faced Shaziman.
In response to a report of Bukit Antarabangsa residents pleading to the Works Ministry to declassify the report, Shaziman maintained that the Cabinet will decide on the matter.
"When I wanted to classify the report, I informed the Cabinet. Now if I were to declassify it, why should I jump procedures? I must also inform the Cabinet and let them decide."
He, however, ignored a question from a reporter who asked him his next course of action, as legally he has the right to declassify documents under the OSA (Official Secrets Act).
Section 2 c of the 1972 OSA Act stipulates that the minister responsible for classifying the Act has the power to declassify it without going through the Cabinet.
The works minister also attempted to shift the responsibility of ensuring the safety of Bukit Antarabangsa residents to the MPAJ (Ampang Jaya Municipal Council), stating that the onus was on the council to prevent these "mishaps" from recurring.
"MPAJ has to ensure that this does not recur. They have to follow the suggestions of the report," said the minister.
He blamed MPAJ, which is under the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat state government, for not doing a proper job of ensuring the people's safety.
"The state government is jobless. The jobs that they are tasked with have yet to be completed, and all they can do is point fingers.
"Tell me, what has the Selangor state government actually done?" asked Shaziman.
He asserted that the landslide report was provided to the MPAJ so that it could "take action", not blurt out the details to the public.
The report, according to him, was to be presented to the MPAJ upon completion so that it could act on the findings, but without divulging its content to the public, as it was against the law.
"Why are they (state government) melompat-lompat tak tentu pasal? They have written a letter to me requesting for a declassification of the report. I will have to relay the matter to the Cabinet for them to decide. End of story."
When asked whether the Cabinet has actually been formally notified of the request for declassification, he failed to give a straight answer, instead noting that the legal process would take some time.
Shaziman also seized the opportunity to lash out at Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim for wanting to declassify another confidential government report, the Hazardous Map report.
This report provides a study of risk in residential areas including hill slopes executed by specialists appointed by the federal government.
"If he (Khalid) declassifies something which cannot be classified, it is illegal."
Shaziman also confirmed that a police report will be lodged on the leak of the landslide report, even if the Cabinet decides to release details to the public.
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