KUALA LUMPUR: According to Syahredzan Johan, it would be more beneficial to repeal the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and replace it with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
The Bangi MP stated that the FOIA has long been proposed by civil society, as the Federal Constitution guarantees freedom of expression.
During the debate on the 2024 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat today (Oct 25), he argued that if the OSA is not repealed, the FOIA would be “deficient” and “incomplete”.
On September 14, the Cabinet Special Committee Meeting on National Governance agreed in principle to draft the FOIA and make amendments to the OSA 1972.
The Prime Minister’s Office stated that the committee acknowledged the necessity for clear parameters and guidelines to enable public access to information from public and government bodies while drafting the FOIA.
Nevertheless, Syahredzan clarified that he is not proposing unrestricted access to all information if the FOIA is enacted.
“We must acknowledge that certain information should be protected and not accessible to the public, such as matters concerning national security,” he said.
“In such cases, the confidentiality of information is essential,” he explained.
“However, as a starting point, all information should be accessible unless it is specifically categorized as not being accessible to the public,” he added.
“Repealing the OSA will empower the people with complete information,” he emphasized.
“Knowledge and information are sources of power,” he concluded.
