National Coalition for a Freedom of Information Act
c/o Centre for Independent Journalism
Press Statement
For Immediate Release
15 March 2007
We, the undersigned members of the National Coalition for a Freedom of Information Act are concerned that the Government is moving backwards on its pledge for transparency. Its decision to classify several more documents under the Official Secrets Act damages the perception that the government is serious about tackling corruption and institutionalising integrity. The documents in question are related to claims by contractors for extra funds for government projects.
This decision was taken after leaks to third parties had occurred. From local newspaper reports, it appears that this action was taken because the government has been made vulnerable in the past when contractors held the Claims Committee to payment decisions made and minuted in their own meetings.
The Public Works Department (PWD) director-general Datuk Wahid Omar said that this leaking of documents compromises the government's position should a dispute be taken to court. This clearly demonstrates a lack of transparency in government operations, and directly implies that the government has secrets to hide. Even in the example given by Datuk Wahid, where there is a dispute between the government official and the Claims Committee, there is no obvious reason why this situation in and of itself would put the government in a compromising position, unless the government reneges on the commitments it makes.
To openly show that no corruption is taking place, that no money is being siphoned off, and that the government is trying to be transparent, these documents, and any others like it, should be declassified.
Despite our government's continued talk of transparency and openness, they still have yet to show that they are taking this pledge to the rakyat seriously. The public are still waiting to see the agreements between the government and the toll concessionaires, refused information about health and water privatisation, and the government refuses to discuss the potential impact of the Malaysia-US Free Trade Agreement. Just two weeks ago, thirteen applicants and the Malaysian Trade Union Congress were told that they did not have locus standi to ask for an allegedly classified document relating to water privatisation.
The Coalition calls upon the government to declassify all the documents in question, repeal the OSA, and implement a Freedom of Information Act in its place.
Ends
Released by:
Sonia Randhawa
Executive Director
Centre for Independent Journalism
For more information, please contact Hwa Yi Xing at 03 4023 0772.
Endorsed by:
All Women's Action Society (AWAM)
Amnesty International Malaysia
Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat (KOMAS)
Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA)
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
Writers Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
