Kuala lumpur: Malaysia's efforts to draft its first-ever federal Freedom of Information (FOI) law signify a crucial step in enhancing transparency, accountability, and good governance. Director-general of the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Zamri Misman, highlighted this initiative during a roundtable event on FOI in Malaysia, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of UNESCO's designation of September 28 as International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Zamri emphasized that the global recognition of access to information as a human right underscores the importance of Malaysia's ongoing reform efforts. He remarked that the FOI law is not merely a legal reform but a social contract that empowers citizens by enabling informed decision-making, meaningful participation, and institutional accountability.
The roundtable event was attended by key figures, including the chairman of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on Human Rights, Election and Institutional Reforms, William Leong Jee Keen, and Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) executive director Wathshlah Naidu. Zamri also announced that the Cabinet had agreed on October 17 to defer both the FOI Bill and the Ombudsman Bill to early 2026, allowing time for further refinement and review by the Attorney General's Chambers.
Zamri noted that the journey towards transparency is complex but inspiring, emphasizing that freedom of information goes beyond accessing documents to dignifying democracy itself. He shared that BHEUU had conducted seven nationwide engagement sessions in 2024, involving over 1,500 participants from various sectors, to gather input on the FOI initiative.
William Leong Jee Keen affirmed the PSSC's dedication to fostering open and inclusive consultation processes, particularly concerning the implementation and oversight of the FOI law. He stressed the importance of complementary reforms to strengthen legal and institutional frameworks supporting the FOI initiative.