KUALA LUMPUR (July 13): The Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill 2026 will be referred to a parliamentary special select committee for further scrutiny following concerns raised by several civil society organisations (CSOs) over what they described as restrictive administrative procedures.
The move is aimed at allowing a more comprehensive review of the proposed legislation, including a detailed examination of each clause through engagement with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and relevant stakeholders, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said.
"The government will table a motion on Tuesday, July 14, to refer the FOI Bill 2026 to a parliamentary special select committee to be established," the de facto law minister said in a statement on Monday.
Earlier on Monday, Azalina tabled the FOI Bill 2026 for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat, with the second reading scheduled during the current parliamentary sitting.
However, several CSOs expressed disappointment with the current version of the bill, urging the government to withdraw and review the proposed legislation.
The groups said the Bill would create a tightly controlled administrative process for information requests, while maintaining existing barriers to disclosure.
They also criticised the exemptions under the proposed law, describing them as broad and vague, and capable of shielding large categories of government information from public scrutiny.
Azalina said the FOI Bill forms part of the government’s institutional reform agenda to strengthen transparency, accountability and good governance, while improving public access to official government information through a structured legal framework.
She acknowledged the feedback from CSOs and other stakeholders on various aspects of the Bill, saying the views reflected a shared commitment to ensure the legislation achieves its reform objectives and aligns with best practices.
Azalina said referring the Bill to a special select committee reflects the government’s approach in implementing major and complex institutional reforms by developing a comprehensive, balanced and trusted legal framework, rather than merely passing legislation.
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