Information Commissioner's Office

Summary: The complainant wrote to the Cabinet office to request information regarding the decision that veterans should exceptionally be allowed to accept, but not to wear, the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal. In response the public authority withheld a copy of a report of the Honours and Decorations Committee which was sent to Her Majesty The Queen and which included the recommendation that the medal may be accepted but not worn. This information was withheld under the exemptions in section 35(1)(a) (Formulation and development of government policy); section 37(1)(a) (Communications with Her Majesty etc.) and section 37(1)(b) (Conferring by the Crown of any honour or dignity). The Commissioner has investigated the complaint and has found that the information is exempt from disclosure under section 37(1)(a) of the Act and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure. The Commissioner requires no steps to be taken. Information Tribunal appeal number EA/2010/0157 dismissed.
Section of Act/EIR & Finding: FOI 37 - Complaint Not upheld