Talk introduces FOI and a community's struggle for information

We need information to help us deal with almost every situation we face. Our need for information is as basic, and as crucial, as that; hence, the necessity for freedom of information.

This need was explained to about 30 representatives of various community and civil society groups at a talk at the Centre for Independent Journalism in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 19. The talk was held in conjunction with the KOMAS Freedom Film Fest 2005, which carries the theme ‘Freedom and Access to Information’.

Four guest speakers, Padmaja Padman, Claudia Theophilus, Dr Zulkefly Mohamad Omar and Alice Lee, spoke on the theme ‘The Right to Know, The Right to Live’.

Padma, who has 30 years experience in journalism and book publishing, has researched extensively on freedom of information. In her talk entitled "Terus Teranglah!", she said every citizen should be able to ask for, and get, information that affects how they conduct their lives - especially information that is in the hands of the government, since that is used to formulate national policies. Yet official information is often hidden from the public. A case in point is the incinerator controversy in Broga, Selangor, as illustrated by the speakers after Padma.

Padma compared the basic elements of the present Official Information Act with a typical Freedom of Information Act. Revealingly, the FOIA contains security safeguards that are in the OSA, but guarantees liberties clamped down by the latter.

Next, in ‘A Journalist’s Journey’, Claudia recapped her experiences covering the incinerator controversy since it first surfaced in Puchong, Selangor, the original site for the project before it was transferred to Broga.

The first hint of the story came at a press briefing by the Housing Buyers Association about squatters being relocated due to the project. Since it was a government project, there was only one source of information, i.e. the government. Yet government officials and officers were largely misinformed, unresponsive or unhelpful.

The Internet provided basic information about the technology. Bits of information gleaned from reports of media conferences elsewhere added to the picture. An international workshop in Penang connected her with NGOs in Japan (where the contractor was based) who gave her more information about the incinerator.

The Environment Impact Assessment report came in three volumes of technical jargon and the public viewing period for it was limited. Pressed for time, Claudia got the important details off the Broga residents who had purchased the pricey document and deciphered it with an expert’s help.

While accepting such barriers to information as challenges of the job, likening them to a great wall, Claudia was confident of chipping them down, but only with help from other media.

The third speaker was born and bred in the Broga village. In her talk, ‘The Broga Detectives’, Alice Lee related that she first knew about the incinerator from the Chinese newspapers in November 2002. She turned to the Internet and found facts that contradicted government claims.

Concerned for their health, the villagers formed a committee to stop the project. Various NGOs chipped in: Suara Rakyat Malaysia taught them how to organise press conferences and liaise with government departments; the Consumers Association of Penang provided information on incinerators and connected them with international NGOs; and the Malaysian Youth and Student Democratic Movement helped with research.

The villagers produced and distributed a flyer highlighting the dangers of the incinerator, but government was as quick to counter with a flyer promoting the incinerator, naming the site even before the EIA report was approved.

The government claimed that the effluent would be Grade A, safe for drinking. Yet the EIA said it was unsafe and there was risk of cancer and asthma. It said fishponds should close or rear only ornamental fish.

Since 2003, the committee has sent 20 memoranda to all authorities, from Broga-born Seremban MP Hon Choon Kim to the Backbencher’s Club. Until recently they had never heard from any of them. At their wit’s end, they sued the government in November 2003 for details of the project (the case is pending).

Alice said the residents were grateful to journalists such as Claudia, who has consistently covered the issue despite an initial media blackout. Journalists play a very important role and it was thanks to them that the Broga people’s effort was not wasted.

Lastly, chairperson of the Broga ‘No Incinerator’ Action Committee, Dr Zulkefly, in his talk ‘Communication and People Power’, said the community reacted strongly because of a communication breakdown between the government and the people. He said the government has not been a good listener.

But that may change soon as Dr Zulkefly revealed the latest twist in the saga. The residents have finally received the first official response to their letters: Vincent Lim, political secretary to the Prime Minister, has asked the Housing and Local Government Ministry to answer to their concerns.

The Broga story is a truly inspiring one of how a small community fights for access to information.