Wan Saiful questions why FOI draft bill ignored stakeholders’ views

Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan has raised questions about the Freedom of Information Bill 2026 draft, which was presented at a public hearing today. Wan Saiful expressed his concern that the proposed legislation did not consider views previously raised by members of the special select committee and stakeholders. In a Facebook post, he questioned whether the Attorney-General’s Chambers, which drafted the bill, had considered all the feedback received during the process.

Wan Saiful attended a townhall session organized by the special select committee, where several participants raised concerns about Clause 22 of the proposed legislation. He agreed that the clause should be reviewed, as it appeared to deny the fundamental right to obtain information. Wan Saiful praised law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said, the chairperson of the special select committee, for her efforts to ensure the views raised were reflected in the draft bill.

Azalina, in turn, emphasized the importance of providing genuine access to information without imposing excessive restrictions that could undermine the bill's purpose. She also highlighted the significance of taking into account the role and freedom of the media in a democratic country. Azalina stated that the feedback from the public hearing was largely positive, though the public desired greater transparency.

The special select committee will reconvene to review the issues raised before finalizing the bill. The Freedom of Information Bill 2026 received its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on July 13, after being referred to the special select committee the following day.