The coalition government’s decision regarding the drafting of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act holds to the principle that every citizen should have the right to seek, receive, and provide information through any medium or platform.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said said the government’s primary goal is to ensure the public has access to authentic information that is more open and transparent from government sources, as this indirectly helps the public be involved in policy-making.

According to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 59 of 1946, freedom of information is the right of the public to access information held by public bodies and is part of the right to freedom of expression.

Therefore, she said, the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department has conducted comprehensive engagement sessions across the country, involving 1,100 participants, including representatives from civil society organisations and NGOs, legal bodies, and academics.

“Today’s engagement session also involves speakers and experts from abroad, including Australia, Canada, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, who share their experiences in implementing FOI legislation. This serves as a guide and reference for Malaysia,” she said in a statement today.

The statement was issued in conjunction with the two-day engagement session on the FOI Act held in Putrajaya, starting today. The session aims to facilitate discussions between relevant ministries and agencies as the information custodians to gather views and input on drafting the Act.

On Sept 14, 2023, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was reported to have said that the Cabinet Special Committee on National Governance had, in principle, agreed to draft the FOI Act to establish clear parameters and guidelines for public access to information from public bodies and the government.

The Prime Minister’s Office, in a statement on Sept 14, stated that in line with the decision to draft the FOI Act, the Official Secrets Act 1972 (Act 88) would also be amended accordingly to enhance public service delivery and encourage public involvement in the national policy-making process.

- Bernama

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