THE legal affairs division under the Prime Minister’s Department is conducting a public survey on the proposed Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. 

The four-part survey, containing 16 questions in total — both closed and open-ended — is open to individuals aged 18 and above. 

The poll will be available online until February 16.

The first part of the survey seeks to obtain general information about the respondents. It would require them to fill up the categories of age, gender, employment status, and monthly income.  

The second part is about their understanding of FOI. 

Here, there are three questions, basically about one’s knowledge of the subject matter. Respondents can select more than one answer.  

The third part, which consists of five questions, is on access to government information.  

Here, the questions relate to the following: whether one has previously applied to receive government information; the types of information that should not be publicly disclosed; whether fees should be charged; and past experience in trying to gain access to the information.  

The fourth and final part is on the need and sustainability of enacting the FOI Act in Malaysia.  

Here, respondents are asked whether they agree to the FOI Act being enacted in the country and are required to justify their answers.  

They also will be asked if the Official Secrets Act 1972 should be maintained, amended, or repealed; and if Malaysians could be responsible in not misusing the information gained.  

Respondents can then submit their answers without providing further personal information like email addresses or phone numbers, although there is the option to include these prior to submission.  

FOI was formulated with the objective to enhance the externalisation of information for public interest and to provide opportunities for every individual to access information provided by ministries, departments, or agencies through an application submitted to the relevant departments.  

As of late, the states that have implemented this are Selangor and Penang. 

FOI has also been practiced through the government’s open data platform. 

At the Council of Ministers’ meeting on July 11, 2018, the government agreed to formulate the FOI at the federal level, and this initiative was led by the minister of justice under the Prime Minister’s Department in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia.

Several groups, including Center to Combat Corruption & Cronyism (C4) as well as Sabah Law Society have called on the government to introduce the FOI Act. – February 2, 2023.