Govt to set up Information Commission, ensure Freedom of Information Act compliance

BANGI – The government plans to set up an Information Commission to regulate and ensure compliance with the proposed Freedom of Information Act, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Ramkarpal Singh.

He said the commission would be established after the Freedom of Information Act had been passed by Parliament and enforced.

“The government is studying a proposal to set up the Information Commission as an independent body responsible for regulating the Freedom of Information Act, hearing appeals and ensuring compliance with the act,” he said when opening an engagement programme on the freedom of information initiative with enforcement, security, and defence agencies here today.

Speaking to reporters later, Ramkarpal said the bill, which will allow the people more open and transparent access to authentic government information, was expected to be tabled in Parliament in October.

He said the Legal Affairs Division was in the final stages of concluding its policy research on the formulation of the act.

This includes holding engagement sessions with various parties and fine-tuning several matters like the type of information that can be accessed by the public under the act.

He said engagement sessions had been held with about 20 agencies since January 2019, including non-governmental organisations, Centre for Independent Journalism, and representatives of the Commissioner of Information Office from Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India,  Afghanistan, Scotland, and the United Kingdom.

“We have also held discussions with the Selangor and Penang governments because this law has been formulated in their states. It is important to get their feedback for the purpose of implementation at the federal level,” he added.

Ramkarpal said among the challenges faced in drafting this act was whether it would contradict existing laws like the Official Secrets Act 1972 (OSA) and if so, what could be done to overcome the problem.

He said the Freedom of Information Act, a draft of which was approved by the cabinet on July 11, 2018, should be implemented soon as many feel it would contribute to a healthy functioning government.

“Of course, there is a limitation on the acquisition of information such as personal particulars and information touching on national security and the like,” he said. – Bernama, February 22, 2023