KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced that the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill will be tabled in Parliament next year.
In a post on his Facebook page today, Anwar revealed that the proposed policy for the Bill’s drafting was discussed during the Special Cabinet Committee on National Governance (JKKTN) meeting yesterday.
“The meeting agreed that this Bill should be tabled in Parliament in 2025 to enhance transparency in the public service by ensuring individuals’ rights to access information under the jurisdiction of the government are guaranteed and protected by law,” he said.
Anwar added that the meeting also took note of the establishment of the Special Task Force for the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Government.
He said this step was taken to improve the country’s image and perception regarding good governance in the public sector at the international level, particularly among foreign investors.
“The government determines to continuously strengthen the national governance agenda, enhance integrity, and combat corruption in line with the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI,” he said.
In late November, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran confirmed that the FOI Bill is expected to be tabled next year, with final decisions to be made in December.
Kulasegaran also said the ministry was considering the experiences of other countries, such as India, in relation to the Act. The drafting of the law is currently under review by the ministry, with assistance from the Digital Ministry, the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Chief Government Security Office, and other relevant agencies.
He also explained that the Bill would provide individuals with the right to access information from ministries or government agencies, excluding personal data, matters concerning national security, defence, and diplomatic relations. – December 17, 2024