Azalina warns FOI proposal could become a ‘Control of Information’ law

In a national town-hall, Azalina Othman Said warned that the Freedom of Information Bill must not devolve into a “Control of Information Bill” that curtails public access. She noted that passing the legislation merely to meet a promise would be pointless if it ends up restricting journalists, especially given existing secrecy laws and a provision that could limit how courts interpret the act. The draft, introduced on July 13, has been sent to a 12-member Parliamentary Special Select Committee chaired by Azalina, tasked with reviewing its scope and suggesting amendments within three months.

Media figures such as Farrah Naz Karim and Wathshlah G Naidu called for a version that defaults to openness and supersedes the Official Secrets Act, while Malaysian Media Council chair Nallini Pathmanathan stressed the link between information rights and constitutional free speech. Azalina said the Attorney-General’s Chambers are present to listen but will not comment, and she expressed personal concern that a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds majority could delay the bill. The committee aims to produce its own version for tabling in the Dewan Rakyat before year-end.