I echo the Sun's call for the government to rethink using the OSA to keep secret activities which are NOT detrimental to the security of the country. The police are pursuing a case where an agreement said to be between the government and a toll-road operator hasbeen made public. Four opposition politicians are now being investigated for a possible offence under the OSA for making public the toll agreement.
The toll concession agreement like other agreements which involved the interest of the public and public funds cannot be kept hidden under the act. We have the right to know if the government has made a fair representation for the people.
In its 2004 election manifesto, the BN government had pledged for transparency and accountability. It must now walk its talk.
Similarly with many others (and the Sun), I call for a Freedom of Information Act to be implemented, much like in countries such as India, Canada, Australia and other most transparent ones, which would guarantee the public the right to information about the government in all aspects except those which must bekept secret for the sake of the security of the country.
Our aspiration to become a first world country must be reflected in our action. Otherwise, Malaysia will become nothing more than a has-been and a butt of joke. Politicians, especially the ruling elites, do your job and stop acting like feudal lords!
2 comments:
Check closely when the BN Manifesto mentioned transparency - there must be some small footprint that said transparency only applies to certain areas. In this case, investigate the opposition parties for exposing the "fact?".
The root cause of the problem is not resolved but it has been diverted and this is how the BN is being managed by the "CEO". This is what you get when an administrator is being hired instead of a "Manager".
I support your call and in fact, we are trying to mobilise people to push for a FOI law in Malaysia. How can deals that are clearly in public interest be hidden behind the OSA? The minister in charge's response to date, as defensive as it can get, only proves that they have something to hide. That's clear.
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