By DayakDaily Team
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28: How far Malaysians can go in seeking information held by public authorities is among the key issues being examined as the proposed Freedom of Information Bill 2026 moves into further parliamentary scrutiny.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said views raised during today’s National Townhall on the Bill would be brought to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) for further scrutiny, consideration and discussion before any final position is taken.
She said the PSSC had taken note of all views, suggestions and constructive criticism raised during the public hearing.
“Among the key matters that will be given attention is the right to information as an important component of freedom of speech and expression.
“The PSSC takes note of the view that this fundamental principle should be clearly reflected in the Freedom of Information Bill,” she said in a statement.
Azalina said this would be studied further with the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), particularly from constitutional and legal perspectives, before any conclusion was reached on whether amendments to the Federal Constitution would be necessary.
The PSSC will also examine how to ensure Malaysians have broad and meaningful access to information held by public authorities, while balancing interests such as national security and public order.
“In ensuring that such access can be implemented effectively while safeguarding interests such as national security and public order, any refusal to disclose information should be based on clear and accountable grounds, including through the application of clear harm tests and public interest tests,” she added.
The proposed law will also have to address what happens when an information request is rejected.
Azalina said the PSSC would examine appropriate review mechanisms, including whether rejected applications should go through an internal appeal process or whether the function should be placed under the proposed Ombudsman Malaysia.
She said this was important to ensure the right to information provided under the law was backed by effective mechanisms for review and remedy.
“All technical, structural and drafting matters raised today will also be examined and refined by the PSSC before any final position is taken,” she said.
Azalina said the Madani Government remained committed to developing the reform through an inclusive, thorough and responsible process to establish a freedom of information framework that is strong, balanced and effective.
She stressed that today’s National Townhall was not the end of the process, but part of Parliament’s scrutiny of the proposed legislation.
“We do not want to enact a law merely to say that Malaysia has a freedom of information law.
“Instead, we want to ensure that the law clearly sets out the rights, exemptions, responsibilities of public authorities, as well as the review and remedy mechanisms available to the people,” she said. — DayakDaily
