Select committees given 3 months to study FOI, admiralty bills

 Both bipartisan panels hope to finalise their studies and submit their recommended improvements to Parliament when it convenes in October.

Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said, who chairs both special committees, said they would hold engagements with all stakeholders over the next three months. (Parliament of Malaysia pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Two bipartisan parliamentary committees have been given three months to conduct an in-depth study on the proposed Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill and Admiralty Jurisdiction Bill.

Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said, who chairs both panels, said they would hold engagements with all stakeholders over the next three months.

This includes government ministries and agencies, legal experts, academics, professional bodies, industry players, the Malaysian Bar and relevant civil society groups.

She said both committees, which held their first meetings today, hoped to finalise their studies and submit their recommended improvements to Parliament when it convenes in October.

“The proposed Admiralty Jurisdiction Bill aims to modernise the framework of the country’s maritime laws in line with international best practices, and to bolster Malaysia’s competitiveness and position as a global maritime hub.

“Meanwhile, the proposed FOI Bill is meant to strengthen the right of Malaysians to access information through a balanced, transparent and responsible legislation,” she said in a statement. - FMT