Greater transparency in FOI Bill

There would be greater transparency in the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill that is being drafted, said Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

She gave this assurance following a call by civil society groups who called for a comprehensive overhaul of the legislative process.

“I welcome the suggestions from all stakeholders.

“And I am pleased to share that these suggestions will be proposed to be covered under the Freedom of Information Bill.

“This will enhance the transparency of the process of government making laws for the best interest of the public,” she said, reported New Straits Times.

Azalina however stopped short on the progress of drafting the bill.

A group of civil society groups yesterday called for a complete overhaul of the law making process.

They stressed that the Attorney General’s Chambers cannot be the sole and final decison maker on any laws that is being drafted.

Azalona had told the Dewan Rakyat in November that the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) is in the process of identifying parameters and challenges in the implementation of a FOI Act.