KUALA LUMPUR – The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has launched an investigation into the alleged leak and widespread dissemination of what is believed to be classified minutes from a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting, following the circulation of the document on social media earlier this week.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail confirmed that the case is being investigated under Section 8 of the Official Secrets Act 1972, Section 203A of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
The investigation is being handled by the Classified Crime Investigation Unit (Unit Siasatan Jenayah Terkelas, USJT) of Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department, he said.
According to Khalid, the probe focuses not only on the internal leak of the document but also on its dissemination across online platforms.
“Authorities will also be summoning all competent witnesses to assist in the investigation,” he said in a statement today.
Khalid warned also that firm action would be taken against any party found involved in the disclosure or sharing of classified information.
The document, purportedly containing minutes from a JAC meeting held in May, is said to have first surfaced on Reddit before spreading to other platforms, including Facebook and X.
It has since prompted significant public and political attention, especially in the wake of the recent retirement of former Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.
Earlier today, Communications Minister and government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that a police report had been lodged over the incident.
However, he emphasised that the government has yet to verify the authenticity of the document.
“I cannot confirm whether the document that is circulating is legitimate or not. At the same time, if it is a legitimate and classified document, specifically one that is marked as secret, then OSA (Official Secrets Act) would apply,” he told reporters at the launch of the IPRM AI Festival 2025 at Angkasapuri.
Fahmi also said the matter had not yet been raised at the Cabinet level but indicated that it could be discussed, noting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s attentiveness to matters of public concern. On whether the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had taken steps to remove the alleged document from digital platforms, he said the commission had yet to issue an update.
While MCMC can make takedown requests based on complaints, Fahmi explained that it is ultimately up to each platform to decide whether content violates their policies.
The leak has sparked alarm among lawmakers, legal observers, and the public. Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin described the incident as “madness” if the document proves to be genuine.
PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari went further, demanding a public explanation from the prime minister. He warned that if the contents of the leaked minutes cannot be credibly denied, Anwar must take responsibility and resign.
“This implicates not just the judiciary, but the prime minister’s own integrity,” Ahmad Fadhli wrote on Facebook. He also cautioned members of the judiciary not to be complicit in any attempts to undermine justice, stating that those involved must be held accountable regardless of position.
Last week, a group of nine PKR lawmakers led by Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has called for an RCI and urged the Parliament Special Select Committee on Reforms to investigate the matter, comparing its potential severity to the VK Lingam judicial scandal of the 2000s.
The Malaysian Bar has also announced plans to march on Monday to deliver a memorandum to the prime minister, reiterating its call for an independent inquiry into the allegations.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers has since dismissed the claims as “speculation”, arguing that comparisons to the Lingam affair are misplaced.
Anwar is expected to meet with Pakatan Harapan MPs on Monday to discuss the matter further. — July 13, 2025