KUALA LUMPUR: Every Malaysian should have the right to seek, receive and provide information through any medium or platform, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said today.
She said the unity government's decision reflected its commitment to transparency and upholding the principle that every citizen had the right to access and share information.
"According to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly Resolution 59, freedom of information is interpreted as the right of the public to access information held by public bodies or the government.
"In the context of Malaysia, the unity government aims to provide the public with access to accurate and transparent information from the government, which will indirectly help citizens participate in the policy-making process."
Earlier today, Azalina officiated an engagement session to draft the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which will take place at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) today and tomorrow.
She said the engagement session involved federal and state government agencies, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, legal bodies and academics for the central zone (Selangor, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur).
"The goal of this engagement session is to discuss with ministries, departments and government agencies as the information owners to gather views and input on the drafting of the FOIA.
"It also aims to review the policy parameters related to the FOIA, ensuring they are relevant and suitable for government needs based on global best practices."
This session follows the Special Cabinet Committee on National Government's decision, chaired by the prime minister last year, which agreed in principle to the drafting of the FOIA.
At the same time, the Official Secrets Act 1972 will be retained and amended to complement the new legislation.
Azalina's said today's engagement session featured speakers and experts from Australia, Canada, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, who would share their experiences in implementing FOI legislation as guidance for drafting the FOIA.