KUALA LUMPUR – The government has agreed to draft a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act which will pave the way for greater transparency from government bodies, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The prime minister said this was among the matters decided during a meeting of the Special Cabinet Committee on National Governance held in Parliament today, which has set the stage for an important shift in Malaysia’s approach to governance and transparency.
“Among the important matters decided or mutually agreed upon in principle is the drafting of the Freedom of Information Act by creating clear parameters and guidelines to give access to the public to obtain information from public bodies and the Government,” Anwar said in a Facebook post.
The committee, previously known as the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption, looked at critical strategies aimed at enhancing the country’s governance systems.
Anwar noted that the meeting saw a focus on efforts to bolster the sustainability of governance through two primary shifts: the restructuring of the institutional framework and the refinement of legislation addressing corruption-related issues.
He said the meeting acknowledged the significance of the 18 resolutions that were made during the national-level Governance, Integrity, and Anti-Corruption Research Conference sessions held in both 2022 and 2023.
These resolutions provided recommendations for enhancements, particularly from a legal and policy standpoint, pertaining to governance, integrity and anti-corruption measures.
Anwar also reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to empower good governance, aligning with the nation’s development aspirations.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said the drafting of the FOI law will include the necessary amendments to the Official Secrets Act 1972 to enhance the delivery of public services and promote greater citizen participation in shaping national policies.
“The Government is also taking a serious view of the issue of national revenue leakages, especially involving Government procurement. Accordingly, the meeting (today) agreed to enact a Procurement Bill,” the statement read.
“This legislation is intended to strengthen the governance of Government procurement and elevate the accountability of all stakeholders involved in the procurement process.”
On the 18 resolutions, the PMO said it will be considered as input in the development of the new National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
“In order to ensure that the subsidiaries established under Statutory Bodies are administered more professionally based on the principles of good governance, the supervision aspect needs to be given attention.
“The meeting agreed that existing and new legal frameworks should be directed towards the practice of good governance among entities that have the Government’s interests,” it said.
“The government will continue to implement good governance empowerment efforts to support national development in line with the desire to develop Malaysia Madani.” – September 14, 2023