KUALA LUMPUR: The Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) under the Prime Minister's Department is in the process of identifying parameters and implementation challenges to enact a comprehensive Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in Malaysia.
Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the Act will be enacted to enhance the disclosure of information for the public's benefit, as well as to provide public access to information from public bodies and the government.
"To ensure the government's commitment is fulfilled, the Special Cabinet Committee on National Governance (JKKTN) has given approval to the enactment of the Act.
"This includes establishing clear guidelines and parameters to give the public access to information from public bodies and the government through submitted applications.
"Meanwhile, the division is also identifying other legislation that might be conflicted with the concept of freedom of information that will be introduced in the enactment of the Act," she said in a parliamentary written reply on Wednesday (Nov 8).
Azalina said this in response to Lim Lip Eng (PH-Kepong) on when will the government will table the Act in Parliament.
Meanwhile, Azalina added that in line with the enactment of the FOI, the government has also agreed to amend the Official Secrets Act 1972 (Act 88) to complement the drafting of Act 88 and FOI.
She said this is to ensure that the delivery of public services is improved and to ensure that the public has access to accurate information more openly and transparently from the government.
"Indirectly, it will also help the people to be more actively involved in the process of shaping national policies.
"At the same time, the government's decision is also based on findings from 23 engagement sessions that were conducted with government agencies, non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations led by the Center of Independent Journalism (CIJ), academics and several information commissioners' offices from foreign countries."
