KUALA LUMPUR: The All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPGM) on Integrity, Governance and Anti-Corruption has proposed that the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) be prioritised in the legislative agenda to strengthen the transformation of other laws related to integrity, governance, and anti-corruption. Group chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh emphasised the act’s importance in cultivating accountability, empowering the public, and ensuring informed participation in Malaysia’s democratic process.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Syed Ibrahim expressed concern over the absence of a clear timeline for amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act and the Ombudsman Act, which were expected to be tabled this year. He highlighted the urgency for improvements, noting their potential impact on preventing leakage and corruption in the country. Syed Ibrahim, who also serves as the Ledang Member of Parliament, shared that these issues were discussed in a recent group meeting focused on the government’s commitment to
institutional and legal reforms.
Addressing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS), Syed Ibrahim stated that APPGM, along with both government and opposition MPs, is dedicated to ensuring transparency and checks and balances in the strategy’s implementation and compliance. He mentioned the group’s proposal for structural changes to achieve broader governance objectives, such as reforming government-linked investment companies (GLICs), enhancing oversight of mega projects, and separating sovereign wealth fund management from pension fund management.
Syed Ibrahim further asserted that APPGM, together with MPs, experts, and civil society, is determined to establish a governance system founded on integrity and accountability principles. He called on all stakeholders to collaborate in realising these reforms, aiming for a better Malaysia through shared commitment.