Defense Ministry cites national security to withhold political appointees’ travel expenses

Defense Ministry, on Monday, has withheld the details of travel expenses incurred for the Ministry’s political appointees, linking the decision to national security.

The Ministry refused to provide majority of the information sought by Sun via a request filed under the Right to Information Act, citing that they are linked to national security.

In this regard, information sought by Sun included the details of travel expenses incurred for the Ministry’s political appointees, the number of political appointees in the Ministry, and the number of advisors and consultants. These are information which has been made public previously.

Sun also sought the number of current employees in the Ministry, including the details of who were appointed during the current administration, and the expenses incurred for all Ministry employees, including political appointees.

However, the Ministry refused to disclose the information, citing they are personal information of its employees.

In a written response on Monday, Defense Ministry said it has disclosed all possible information regarding its employees on its website. However, only the names and designations of senior officials of the Ministry have been shared on the website.

Other information requested:

• Expenses of the Ministry
• Unpaid bills since the onset of the current administration
• Details of huge procurements
• Travel expenses of the Ministry’s political appointees
• Internal audit reports
• Expenses during the current administration to procure vehicles

Neither of these information was disclosed by the Ministry, citing they are linked to national security, and as such, are confidential. However, the Ministry did not specify what specific information sought was confidential.

The Ministry added that information that it could share is available on the Ministry’s annual report, which they are working on publicizing. However, the Ministry has yet to publish its annual report for this year on its website. Usually, annual reports are publicized in January.

Concerns have been mounting over the withholding of information by ministries and other government authorities.

While all previous administrations voluntarily disclosed the number of political appointees, the current administration has withheld this information. The administration has also withheld the details of political appointees reportedly dismissed as part of efforts to cut state expenditure – with the government also filing a High Court appeal to withhold the information. The case remains stalled at present.