Why is the Freedom of Information Bill being sent to a select committee?

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The Freedom of Information Bill 2026 is being referred to a Parliamentary Select Committee to allow for more thorough scrutiny and engagement with Members of Parliament and stakeholders. This step is intended to ensure the legislation is comprehensive, balanced, and trusted by the public, aligning with the Madani Government's broader institutional reform agenda.

The government has acknowledged various perspectives from civil society organisations and stakeholders regarding different facets of the Bill. These inputs are seen as crucial in ensuring the proposed legislation effectively meets its reform objectives and adheres to established best practices. The move to send the Bill to a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) is a deliberate process to facilitate deeper examination and discussion.

The Freedom of Information Bill 2026 is a key component of the Madani Government's commitment to institutional reforms. Its primary aim is to enhance transparency, accountability, and good governance by providing citizens with lawful and structured access to official information. This referral process is consistent with the government's established methodology for handling significant institutional reforms, ensuring that the resulting legal framework is robust and widely accepted.

The Bill itself is designed to create a procedural framework enabling public access to information held by government authorities. Specifically, it allows any Malaysian citizen aged 18 and above to formally request official documents in writing. However, the Bill's current text indicates that existing secrecy legislation, such as the Official Secrets Act 1972, and other exempted documents will continue to govern the disclosure of certain information, meaning not all official information will be made accessible.

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Why is the Freedom of Information Bill being sent to a select committee?

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