THE government plans to set up an information commission to regulate and ensure compliance with the proposed Freedom of Information Act, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Ramkarpal Singh said.

He said the commission would be established after the Freedom of Information Act is passed by parliament and enforced.

“The government is studying a proposal to set up the information commission as an independent body responsible for regulating the Freedom of Information Act, hearing appeals and ensuring compliance with the act,” he said when opening an engagement programme on the freedom of information initiative with enforcement, security and defence agencies today.

Ramkarpal said the bill, which will allow the people more open and transparent access to authentic government information, was expected to be tabled in parliament in October.

He said the Legal Affairs Division was in the final stages of concluding its policy research on the formulation of the act.

This includes holding engagement sessions with various parties and fine-tuning several matters, such as the type of information which can be accessed by the people under the act.

The deputy minister said among the challenges faced in drafting the act was whether it would contradict existing laws such as the Official Secrets Act 1972.

He said the Freedom of Information Act, a draft of which was approved by the cabinet on July 11, 2018, should be implemented soon as many felt that it would contribute to a healthy functioning of the government. – Bernama, February 22, 2023.