JULY 15 — Civil society groups had reportedly welcomed the  government’s intention to move a motion to refer the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill 2026 to a parliamentary special select committee (PSSC) following the Bill’s first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (July 13).

Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) executive director Wathshlah Naidu had said the referral would be a positive step, but stressed that the review process must be meaningful, transparent and inclusive.

Speaking to reporters during a peaceful gathering outside the Dewan Rakyat gates on Monday (July 13), which was also attended by representatives from Article 19 and the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Centre), Wathshlah Naidu said consultations must involve civil society organisations and other stakeholders in a substantive manner.

Eleven other civil society organisations reportedly endorsed her statement. 

In the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (July 14), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said duly referred or committed the FOI Bill to a PSSC.

The referral or committal is made under Standing Order (SO) 54(1) of the Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders (DRSO) while the PSSC is to be established under SO81(1) DRSO.

There are two ways to commit a Bill to a PSSC. First, under SO54(1) and second under SO54(2) DRSO.

A committal under SO54(1) is before a Bill’s second reading while a committal under SO54(2) is after a Bill’s second reading but before it is committed to a Committee of the whole House.

There is a difference between the two committals.

When a Bill is committed before its second reading, the PSSC may discuss the details of the Bill as well as its merits and principles. This is as stated in SO55(1) DRSO.

However, the PSSC to which a Bill is committed after its second reading must not debate the principle of the Bill but only its details. This is as stated in SO55(2).

A committal under SO54(1) therefore should lead to a review of a Bill that should be “substantive” and more “meaningful, transparent and inclusive”.

The committal of the FOI Bill to a PSSC under SO54(1) DRSO speaks well of the government.

It listens to the people.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.