Freedom of expression should come with right to information - MP

 

The struggle to fight for freedom of expression should be accompanied by reforms that promote greater transparency and accountability in access to information, said Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong.

As such, Khoo, a member of the Parliament Inter-Party Group on Integrity, Governance and Anti-Corruption, said that enactment of a Freedom of Information Act has been included as a priority reform that can be implemented within the current five-year term.

“When we fight for freedom of expression, aside from allowing people to speak, we must also open up room for them to access information that they have a right to know.

“Detailed information so that they can speak up in an informed way,” he said during a press conference in Parliament.

Khoo also said greater transparency in the flow of information to the people is a fundamental right in a functioning democracy.

“Any imbalance in the flow of information will contribute to an imbalance in power relations between the government and the people,” he said, adding it will also influence the public’s role to openly evaluate the performance of government institutions.

Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh

Overall, Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, as group chairperson, said the press conference today was called to provide progress updates on eight recommended reforms, four of which have been identified as immediate priorities.

Aside from the FOI Act, three other focus areas include the separation of powers between the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the public prosecutor’s office; amendments to the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2010; and enactment of the Parliamentary Services Act.

Last November, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said reportedly said that the Legal Affairs Division is in the process of identifying parameters, challenges in implementation and legislation that could clash with the concept of information freedom to introduce a comprehensive Act that is suitable in Malaysia.

Azalina also at the time said the government had agreed to amend the Official Secrets Act 1972 (Act 88) to ensure that it would complement the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act. - Mkini