Penang gets freedom of information

Penang gets freedom of information

Penang becomes the only the second state in Malaysia to have its own Freedom of Information Act, in aid of transparent government decision-making.

The Penang State Government tabled the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill on Nov 4. Penang is the second state in Malaysia to pass such a law after Selangor, which enacted its own FOI Act in April this year.

The “Freedom of Information: The Penang Experience Forum” was held late last month at Caring Complex and was jointly organised by the Pertubuhan Wartawan dan Jurugambar Akhbar Cina Pulau Pinang (Pewaju), Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Coalition for Good Governance Penang (CGGP), Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram, Penang Branch) and Sembang-Sembang Forum.

The speakers were Prof Abu Bakar Munir (formerly of the Faculty of Law, University Malaya),  Anil Netto, (Aliran member),  Rowena Yam (Gerakan) and Ng Wei Aik (state assemblyman and political secretary to the Penang Chief Minister)

It was moderated by Himanshu Bhatt,  the bureau chief of theSun daily.

Video by Lim Boo Seng

Lim Boo Seng