Considerations for Declassification Policy to Include Mechanism for Researchers to Nominate Documents for Review

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information following the declassification of the Albatross Files, what consideration has the Ministry given to future declassification policy, including the possible introduction of a formal mechanism by which historians and other researchers may nominate documents for review for declassification.

As Members are aware, my Ministry recently declassified and released the contents of Dr Goh Keng Swee's Albatross File, together with the excerpts of the oral histories of many of our founding leaders pertaining to the Separation of Singapore from Malaysia. The extensive release was unprecedented. Singaporeans got an intimate look into how our pioneer leaders felt, thought and did in the lead up to our Independence. My Ministry is committed to making as much of our recent history as possible available to the wider public. A deeper appreciation of our history and how we got here will strengthen our national identity.

Today, under the National Library Board Act, any person may, for "the purpose of reference or research" request to access public archives – that is, Government records of national or historical significance that have been transferred to the National Archives of Singapore (NAS) and are more than 25 years old. The Government agency from which the public archives were transferred decides whether to allow access, taking into account considerations, such as supporting research into our collective past, while safeguarding sensitive information and complying with relevant confidentiality and other obligations.

The NAS also facilitates the process by which anyone can ask a relevant Government agency to review public records for declassification. This provides a formal channel for historians and other researchers to nominate documents for review. Upon request, the relevant Government agency will assess the public record based on its content and whether there are any concerns in disclosure of the content, such as those pertaining to national security, confidentiality obligations and personal privacy.

My Ministry will continue to work with NAS and relevant agencies to facilitate such reviews and to make more records available over time.