While Penang has passed and gazetted the Freedom of Information Act, it has yet to officially implement it. Activists want to know when the law will become effective.

Human rights NGO Suaram wants the Penang government to reveal the status of the Freedom of Information law it passed in the state legislative in November last year and gazetted in February this year.

NONE Penang branch Suaram coordinator Lee Hui Fei ( right ) wants Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to state the roadmap and timeframe for the implementation of the FOI Enactment in Penang.

"What is the mechanism today for Penang ratepayers to request for access to certain information held by the state authorities?" Lee asked in a letter addressed to Lim.

She said Suaram has sent two requests for a status update on this matter in March, but has yet to receive any response.

The letters were also copied to state legislative assembly speaker Abdul Halim Hussein and Select Committee chairperson and Dato Keramat assemblyperson Jagdeep Singh Deo.

Penang is the second state after Selangor to pass and gazette the enactment.