KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 — The government said today it has carried out various engagement sessions, meetings and discussions since January 2018 after agreeing to enact the Freedom of Information Act at the federal level.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Ramkarpal Singh said that the sessions had involved various ministries, departments, government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) through the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ).
"The Cabinet Meeting on July 11, 2018 has agreed that the Freedom of Information Act be enacted at the Federal level.
"The implementation of this proposal is placed under the jurisdiction of the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) and also assisted by the Malaysian Ministry of Communications and Multimedia at that time.
"The aim of the proposed enactment of this Act is to ensure that the people's right to access authentic information is more open and transparent from the government,” he said in a statement.
He added that representatives from the Information Commissioner's Office from foreign countries such as Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India, Afghanistan, Scotland and the United Kingdom are also involved in the sessions to share their experiences on freedom of information policy.
Ramkarpal also said that the enactment of the law gives the impression that most information belonging to the government and public entity is in principle with open access to the public, except for certain information such as personal information, information that may threaten public order and national security.
Today, he added that the Prime Minister Department’s Legal Affairs Division also organised an engagement programme on the matter with enforcement, security and defence agencies to clarify the concept of freedom of information and its implications for policy implementation in Malaysia.
He said it will also help identify any conflict between this Act and the Official Secrets Act 1972 as well as other current laws.
Ramkarpal said the government is examining a proposal to establish an Information Commission as an independent watchdog responsible for regulating the Freedom of Information Act, hearing appeals and ensuring compliance with this Act.
"In principle, all government agencies agree that freedom of information can generally be seen to contribute to the empowerment and equality of all levels of society, including vulnerable groups.
"It will also have a positive impact on the socio-economic development of the country, which is in line with the aspirations of the concept of 'Building a Civilised Malaysia', initiated by the unity government under the leadership of prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he said.
Ramkarpal also said there is a need for a comprehensive study and additional engagement sessions with various parties in order to gather all the necessary views.
"This study needs to take into account the government’s current policy as well as existing laws in order to look at the best practices of legal models in other countries as well as the effectiveness of the implementation of the Freedom of Information Enactment in Penang and Selangor.
"Currently, the legal affairs division is in the final stages of completing the policy study tasks related to the proposed drafting of this Act. A draft policy review paper will be prepared and presented to the relevant Cabinet Special Committee for a decision on the ultimate direction of the next policy,” he said.
