Malaysia: Do not delay our Right to Information

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Malaysia: Do not delay our Right to Information - Transparency

The International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) is observed globally on 28 September, a day the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center), ARTICLE 19, and Sinar Project commemorate in light of our work on the right to information (RTI) and the pressing need for increased transparency and information justice in Malaysia. 

This year’s theme for IDUAI is ‘Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector’. This theme is highly relevant for Malaysia as the push for federal Right to Information (RTI) legislation gains momentum. Malaysia is on the brink of achieving this goal, which would ensure the right to information is both comprehensive and accessible to all individuals in Malaysia. Such legislation would strengthen our democracy by promoting transparency and enhancing public participation in matters of public interest in an open and constructive manner. Thus, we urge the government to prioritise the development of a comprehensive robust RTI legislation and framework without further delay, taking into account the following non-negotiable principles grounded in international human rights law:

  1. Open by default
  2. Guarantee the Establishment of an Independent RTI Oversight Body
  3. Repeal or Amend Other Laws to Ensure Alignment with the New RTI Law

Through this reminder on IDUAI, we hope to continue to collaborate with the Legal Affairs Division in the Prime Minister’s Department (BHEUU), other government stakeholders, parliamentarians, our fellow CSOs and the general public to advocate for a federal RTI Act and framework that integrates international best practices into our domestic context. However, this collaboration must be based on the premise that we share a common goal to implement, without delay, a comprehensive RTI framework that serves the public interest. This would only bring about a better, more transparent Malaysia that is stronger through data governance and democracy.

 

Read the full statement here

 

For more information, contact:

  1. Wathshlah Naidu, Executive Director, Centre for Independent Journalism, [email protected]
  2. Pushpan Murugiah, Chief Executive Officer, the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism, [email protected]
  3. Nalini Elumalai, Senior Malaysia Program Officer, ARTICLE 19, at [email protected].
  4. Khairil Yusof, Coordinator, Sinar Project, [email protected]