The Writers Alliance for Media Independence (Wami) is heartened by the support expressed recently by seven parliamentarians and the open attitude of the government on the idea of a Parliamentary Select Committee on Freedom of Information and Expression as proposed in the 2006 World Press Freedom Day memorandum by 37 civil society groups and 92 individuals.

Wami sees this as a very exciting start. We call upon the government and parliamentarians to take further steps including the tabling of a private member's bill on the matter. We also call upon the Backbenchers Club (BBC) to initiate consultation amongst their members so that they may provide feedback to the minister concerned, who can then bring the issue before the cabinet.

Opposition parliamentarians can also do more rather than wait for BN initiatives. The parliamentary opposition leader may perhaps consider inviting various members of parliament and any other concerned parties to discuss the matter.

Such meeting may be the starting point of a more informal structure, a multiparty parliamentary caucus, before a select committee officially enters the government's agenda. Even if the government is not interested, there is nothing there to stop the MPs from meeting and forming the caucus which could hold regular dialogues with the media community.

We believe that media law reform is vital and it needs a broad consensus. The case of the Jasin MP shows that putting national interests above partisan calculations is not easy. Now that there is a positive atmosphere to build some across-the-board consensus on this, this opportunity must not be lost.

The government, the BBC and the opposition can all take the initiative. So can the media, civil society and ordinary citizens. We must all tell our lawmakers it is time to translate their noble vows for a first-world parliament and press freedom into concrete action. We must tell them Malaysians today will not settle for lip service.

The writer is secretary of Wami.