Information Commission Needed To Ensure Foi Act Compliance Says C4

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The ‘zero draft’ of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights commits to expediting the enactment of the FOI Act and complementary amendments to the Official Secrets Act 1972. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: An anti-corruption NGO has praised the government’s commitment to expediting the enactment of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, but said compliance with the Act must be ensured by the establishment of a dedicated information commission.
The Center to Combat Corruption & Cronyism (C4) said the absence of an independent information commission to resolve disputes and ensure compliance will lead to an “ineffective and toothless FOI framework”.
“The government must commit to establishing this body in tandem with the tabling of the FOI bill,” it said in a statement today, when commenting on the release of the “zero draft” of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAPBHR) 2025-2030.
Among other things, the draft commits to expediting the enactment of the FOI Act and complementary amendments to the Official Secrets Act 1972.
“(This) is imperative to create a government culture of being open by default instead of relying upon the government’s discretion to disclose information,” said C4.
Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said was previously reported as saying the NAPBHR plan would help businesses align with human rights standards by incorporating due diligence on human rights.
She also said the FOI bill is set to be tabled in Parliament by mid-2025. - FMT

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