Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof has welcomed ongoing efforts to amend related laws that infringe on the universal rights to freedom of speech and expression.

As part of the process, the parliament today hosted a roundtable discussion with local and international speakers, co-organised by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).

Ariff, in his opening address, said the theme "Aligning National Legislation with International Standards on Freedom of Expression, Access to Information and Press Freedom" was selected as the subjects are relevant in the context of reforms in a "New Malaysia".

"The recently-elected government of Malaysia has made a pledge to review, repeal and abolish statutes deemed oppressive and an abuse of power.

"These laws include those that curtail freedom of expression. Thus, I believe there is no better time than now to have this roundtable with parliamentarians," said Ariff.

Ariff noted there are currently several laws in Malaysia that regulate, and to a certain extent, restrict freedom of expression, access to information and press freedom.

"In the past, we have seen how these laws were used to silence dissent and restrict access to information, and the dissemination of information.

"Common in all these legislations are vague provisions and allocation of unfettered powers to authority," he said.

As such, Ariff suggested that part of the reforms should include putting into place institutional and legal guarantees, grounded on the rule of law.

Among others, he pointed out that certain countries have enacted Freedom of Information law to foster openness and transparency in government.

As part of its GE14 manifesto, Harapan had promised to repeal the Official Secrets Act 1972 (OSA) - often seen as an archaic law that directly infringes on the rights to freedom of information.

The OSA allows any minister, state chief minister or public official to declare government documents a state secret.

It was controversially used in 2015 by the previous BN government to classify the Auditor-General’s final audit report on 1MDB.

Universiti Malaya law lecturer Azmi Sharom yesterday characterised the OSA as the "giant mad elephant" in the room as the government drafts a legislation allowing a right to information.

Among lawmakers present during the half-day roundtable session today include Deputy Ministers Steven Sim and Hannah Yeoh, Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto, as well as Tangga Batu MP Dr Rusnah Aluai.