Penang Opposition leader Jahara Hamid posed this question to the ruling DAP-led government at the state assembly today.
Her outburst came after a Gerakan leader’s attempt at purchasing documents related to a government land sale was met with hurdles.
“If you are serious with freedom of information, make sure you do what the literal meaning of the act says.
“Is this FOI or Akta Menyekat Maklumat (Block Information Act).”
Jahara said this while interjecting Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhammad Farid Saad’s debate on the Yang di-Pertua’s opening address at the state assembly today.
Farid agreed with Jahara, saying that it was appalling that the FOI was riddled with flaws.
“Today, we were told that a person has to sign a statutory declaration to swear that they would not reveal the contents of the document to anyone else.
“On top of that, they are asked to pay fees. They are told it is for personal use only.
“This is troubling,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy (DAP-Perai) stood up and requested to explain, but Farid refused to yield the floor.
Earlier today, state Gerakan Youth Acting Chief Jason Loo told reporters that he was asked to sign a non-disclosure form after he requested for government documents under the FOI.
He said he was asked to sign a sworn declaration that he would not reveal the documents to the public.
Loo said he refused to sign the SD and refused to accept it as a matter of principle.
Related story:
Furious at being told to sign SD for land sale docs