FOI Law Must Serve Transparency Purpose, Says Minister Azalina

The government must carefully craft legislation to guarantee that a Freedom of Information (FOI) law genuinely promotes transparency rather than becoming a mechanism for restricting access to public records, Minister Azalina Othman said. Her comments underscore ongoing concerns about the scope and implementation of the proposed legislation, which has been flagged as a priority by the administration. Without proper safeguards and clear provisions, Azalina cautioned that an FOI law could inadvertently function as a tool to control information dissemination rather than facilitate it—defeating the fundamental purpose of such legislation. The minister's remarks highlight the delicate balance policymakers must strike in drafting transparency laws that protect sensitive national interests while meeting public expectations for government accountability. Officials are expected to review the proposed bill's provisions to ensure it achieves the intended goal of empowering citizens' right to access public information held by government agencies.