The legislature in the state of Selangor in Malaysia is considering adoption of a freedom of information law, according to news reports.
Shaila Koshy in The Star reported that the Pakatan Rakyat coalition in Selangor is striving to keep the promise it made to voters at the 2008 General Election.
The law would cover what is under the state’s jurisdiction, “land, local government, forestry and statutory bodies and state government-linked companies,” The Star said, not education and policing, which are under federal control.
The bill was introduced July 14 and a debate was held, according to Maria Dass in The Sun Daily and generated opposition.
Dass reported:
The debate that followed, however, clearly showed a division of opinion among Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen who supported the bill but pointed out the need for some refinements, and the Barisan Nasional assemblymen who described the enactment as “toothless” and one that contravened the Federal Constitution and other laws.
After debate, the bill will go through public consultation, research and study via a select committee, which will table its recommendations to the assembly for third reading. This is expected to be completed by April next year.
A FOI law in Selangor would be a first for Malaysia. The sponsoring Bukit Lanjan assemblywoman, Elizabeth Wong, who heads the FOI Special Taskforce, said: “More than 80 countries have introduced freedom of information laws and we hope this move will improve the administration of the state because a transparent government is also one that will be more efficient and responsible.” She said the proposed enactment will help reduce corruption and boost accountability in the state’s dealings, according to The Sun Daily, whose report goes further into the arguments made by legislators pro and con.
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