Why was the 1976 Sabah plane crash report kept secret for 47 years?

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The 1976 Sabah Plane Crash Report Was Kept Secret for 47 Years Due to Official Secrets Act Classification

The final investigation report into the 1976 Sabah plane crash, known as the "Double Six" tragedy, remained undisclosed for nearly 47 years due to its classification under Malaysia's Official Secrets Act 1972. The government only agreed to declassify the report on April 6, 2023, following an announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on April 5, 2023. This declassification was conducted in accordance with Section 2C of the Official Secrets Act 1972, a legal framework that governs the handling of sensitive government information.
Report Classification Under Official Secrets Act

The investigation report itself was finalised on January 25, 1977, and subsequently presented to the federal Cabinet in March 1977. While the specific contents that led to its classification are not detailed in the provided information, the fact that it was kept from public view for almost five decades strongly suggests it was deemed sensitive information under the Official Secrets Act 1972. This act typically restricts the dissemination of information that could be prejudicial to national security, public order, or national economic interests.
Government's Decision to Declassify

The decision to declassify the report came after a significant period of secrecy, during which the families of the 11 victims, including senior Sabah state government leaders, remained unaware of the crash's findings. Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated that the Ministry of Transport is committed to transparency, indicating a shift in policy or a specific directive leading to the report's release. This move allows for greater public access to historical records concerning a pivotal event in Sabah's political history.
The "Double Six" Tragedy

The crash occurred on June 6, 1976, approximately 3km off the Kota Kinabalu airport. The incident tragically claimed the lives of 11 individuals, including the then-Chief Minister of Sabah, Tun Fuad Stephens, and other key members of the state government. The GAF Nomad N22B passenger plane, registered as 9M-ATZ, was involved in the accident. The prolonged non-disclosure of the investigation findings meant that the precise causes of this significant event remained unknown to the public and the victims' families for an extended duration.

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Why was the 1976 Sabah plane crash report kept secret for 47 years?

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