KUALA LUMPUR: The Freedom of Information Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament by the end of the year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran said this after input from various engagement sessions was presented to the cabinet for approval.
"The Legal Affairs Division has carried out engagements according to zones, involving more than 1,100 participants from state governments and agencies, local councils, non-governmental organisations, legal bodies and academicians.
The division will hold another engagement session at the end of August with more than 500 participants expected to take part, including those from federal ministries and agencies.
"The engagement session is to obtain feedback on the scope and parameters, legal matters, the implementation and cost implications for the bill.
"The input and feedback from the various engagement sessions will be presented to the cabinet for approval, with the bill expected to be tabled in Parliament by the end of the year," he said in response to Tan Kok Wai (PH-Cheras)
Tan inquired about the drafting status of the Freedom of Information Bill and when the bill will be tabled in the Parliament.
Kulasegaran said the government agreed that the Official Secrets Act 1972 would be amended as well, to ensure both acts can function concurrently.
On Sept 14, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in a statement said that the Cabinet Special Committee Meeting on National Governance, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, agreed in principle to draft the Freedom of Information Act while also amending the Official Secrets Act (OSA) 1972.
The committee agreed that there had to be clear parameters and guidelines to provide public access to information from public and government bodies while drafting the said act.
It also said that in line with this decision, the OSA would be amended accordingly.
"This step is taken to ensure the enhancement of public service delivery and to encourage citizens' participation in the policy-making process."