PSM criticises S'gor govt's rejection of FOI request on private parking project

PSM has criticised the Selangor government’s purported rejection of residents’ applications for information related to the Selangor Smart Integrated Parking (SIP) project, under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Enactment 2011.

According to the party, the applications had allegedly been rejected on the grounds that the information was classified under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) 1972.

“What contents of the SIP information are so sensitive that they need to be protected under the OSA? Is this not a public initiative involving the people's interests and funds?

“If the Selangor state government is genuinely confident in SIP’s benefits, why is key information about the plan being concealed from the people?” asked PSM central committee member Gandipan Nantha Gopalan (above) in a statement today.

On Oct 24, Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung had also raised similar concerns, highlighting the state government’s rejection of a resident’s FOI request to access documents related to the SIP project.

Lee described it as “a serious setback to transparency and accountability”, and cited complaints he had received from the residents, whose application had also been rejected on the grounds that the documents were classified under the OSA.

Malaysiakini learnt that the resident filed the request in August, and it was rejected in October.

MB to respond

When contacted, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari’s aide Jay Jay Denis said a response will be issued after details of the application have been reviewed.

The first phase of the parking privatisation project was reportedly launched on Aug 1, involving the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), and Selayang Municipal Council (MPS).

The plan, prior to its launch, has faced strong backlash from other MPs, as well as residential and eco-sustainability groups.

Separately, Gandipan further highlighted how the Selangor government had also previously defended the implementation of the parking project, arguing it will enhance the efficiency of parking management, despite security and privacy concerns.

He further urged the Selangor menteri besar, and Selangor executive councillor for local government and tourism, Ng Suee Lim, to immediately provide an explanation.

“The people have a right to know how public projects like SIP are executed, especially when they involve financial governance, local council revenue, and community well-being.

“The Selangor state government should not use the OSA to bar the public from accessing information that ought to be publicly available.

“The government must remember that transparency and accountability are the foundations of good governance,” he added.

FOI Bill

In August, a bipartisan group of MPs had similarly urged the government to fast-track the tabling of the FOI Act and an Ombudsman Bill to replace the “outdated” OSA, as part of wider institutional reforms to improve transparency and accountability.

A pro-tem committee had been set up in April to draft the FOI Bill. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said told Parliament on Aug 18 that the committee has so far held five meetings, two discussion sessions, one workshop, and two engagement sessions with ministries, agencies, and other stakeholders.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had also said that the FOI Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament later this year.

He previously described the bill as crucial to gain public confidence and provide clarity on government decisions.

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