How will the PSSC ensure the FOI Bill review is inclusive and transparent?

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The PSSC's Review Process for the FOI Bill

The parliamentary special select committee (PSSC) will review the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill 2026, a process that civil society groups expect to be inclusive and transparent. This review is being conducted under Standing Order (SO) 54(1) of the Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders (DRSO), which allows the committee to examine the Bill's details, merits, and principles. While the referral has been welcomed, specific mechanisms for ensuring inclusivity and transparency in the PSSC's consultations are not detailed in the provided information.
Referral Under Standing Order 54(1)

The FOI Bill 2026 was formally referred to a PSSC by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said on July 14. This referral was made under SO 54(1) of the DRSO, which precedes the Bill's second reading. This specific type of committal grants the PSSC the authority to delve into the finer points of the legislation, as well as its underlying principles and overall merit, as outlined in SO 55(1) DRSO.
Civil Society Expectations for Inclusivity and Transparency

Various civil society organisations, including the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Article 19, and C4 Centre, have expressed their support for the Bill's referral to a PSSC. However, these groups have collectively emphasised that the review process must be conducted in a manner that is genuinely meaningful, transparent, and inclusive. They advocate for substantive consultations involving civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
Scope of PSSC Review

A committal under SO 54(1) differs from a committal made after a Bill's second reading (under SO 54(2)). When a Bill is committed before its second reading, the PSSC has a broader mandate to discuss both the Bill's principles and its specific provisions. In contrast, a PSSC reviewing a Bill after its second reading is generally restricted to examining only the details of the legislation, not its fundamental principles.

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How will the PSSC ensure the FOI Bill review is inclusive and transparent?

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