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The Star – May 7, 2008
Bid to legislate
freedom of information welcomed
TRANSPARENCY International-Malaysia commends the
intention of the Penang State Government to be the first
to introduce Freedom of Information legislation in
Malaysia.
The absence of this legislation and the presence of the
Printing Presses and Publication Act has severely
curtailed press freedom and cramped the growth of its
development and progress in our country.
This has led to unhealthy “closed” as opposed to “open”
debate and discussions on vital national and public
policy issues and has therefore inhibited the evolution
of a more transparent democracy and greater national
integrity and accountability .
All these negative trends have contributed to increasing
corruption and the considerable wastage of public funds.
As a result, corruption is debilitating our economy and
eroding our national competitiveness.
The inadequate press freedom is also contributing to
cost push inflation – as some large government and
corporate contracts are often awarded secretly on a
negotiated tender basis, as compared to the more
transparent open tenders system .
TI-Malaysia therefore encourages and strongly supports
the leaders in Penang State Government in taking the
lead to introduce Freedom of Information laws and
regulations which can be adopted by all other State
Governments and even the Federal Government.
More freedom of information will lead to a stronger,
transparent press, a more vibrant democracy and a more
competitive economy!
TAN SRI RAMON NAVARATNAM,
President TI-M, Kuala Lumpur.
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