FOI bill to be in Dewan Rakyat by end of this year

Freedom of Information Bill would be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat by the end of this year, said Deputy Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M Kulasegaran.

The bill will however, not cover information on personal data, matters that threaten national security, defence and diplomatic relations.

“Input from the various engagement sessions held will be presented to the Cabinet for approval and the Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament by the end of the year,” he said during Minister’s Question Time.

He also informed the Dewan Rakyat that the Official Secrets Act 1972 to ensure that FOI complements existing laws.

He also said that the Legal Affairs Division carried out engagement sessions with over 1,100 participants thus far and would have another session involving 500 participants.

“The sessions aim to obtain feedback on the scope, legal parameters, implementation and cost implications for the coming Bill,” he told Tan Kok Wai (PH-Cheras), who asked about the status of the Bill and its tabling.

Kulasegaran revealed that there were setback from state governments.

“Many said they wanted their own legal framework so they can control matters related to the state.

“However, we are still carrying out engagements (and) many (participants) said we should push forward with it,” he said.

He also said that a non-partisan body made up of retired judges and other learned persons will be formed to handle the requests for information.