We have actively engaged with Penang and Selangor state government to organize open forums and review improvements into their legislation to improve the freedom of information and the rights to know. Some of the early success includes commitment from Selangor Chief Minister to incorporate the ideas in the Selangor State government.
The Freedom of Information project aims to:
– Create awareness on the Right to Know and Freedom of Information (FOI) in Malaysia;
– Educate the public on the importance and role of free-flowing information in corruption-free accountable governance;
– Promote citizens’ engagement in utilising existing state-level FOIE provisions;
– Aid state governments in enhancing their existing FOIEs;
– Advocate the implementation of a FOI law in the federal level; and
– Champion the abolishment of archaic laws restricting freedom of information and expression.
So far, we have actively engaged with Penang and Selangor state government to organize open forums and review improvements into their legislation. This also involved stronger civic participation to file applications for common community concerns and obtaining data on infrastructure projects.
Intervention at Selangor State
More than 150 people participated in Freedom of Information forum held on 29th July 2016 jointly organized with Selangor State Assembly.
Milestone Achieved: The Chief Minister showed strong commitments to bolster transparency in state policies, and welcomed the use of the FOI enactment more actively. [Link to MB Azmin Ali Speech]
Intervention at Penang State Government
C4 co-hosted the International Right to Know day on September 28, jointly organized with Penang State Government. Around 100 people participated in the event, including public officials.
Milestone Achieved: Penang aims to be a leading State in Malaysia that espouses principles of openness and good governance, and promised to review their legislation and take on open data initiatives.
Additional project information is available here: https://right2know.my