Kit Siang: Whats this all about, Pak Lah?
Published: Jan 10, 2007 9:20 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's threat of action against opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) over possession of a toll agreement document has left parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang "disappointed".
Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's threat of action against opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) over possession of a toll agreement document has left parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang "disappointed".
PKR had revealed details of a toll concession agreement last Thursday, to back its case against the recent toll hike along the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP).
"It is very disappointing to read the (prime minister's) response to the publication of the LDP concession agreement between the government and Lingkaran Trans Kota Sdn Bhd (Litrak)," said Lim in a statement today.
He said Abdullah should have instead announced a policy commitment to introduce Freedom of Information legislation.
"When he became prime minister, he pledged a 'clean, incorruptible, modest and beyond suspicion' government and called on Malaysians to tell him the truth," Lim said.
"All these promises of an open government have come to nought as the people's right to information is not recognised or entrenched by law."
Abdullah was quoted in the New Straits Times today as saying that action could be taken against PKR for breaching the Official Secrets Act (OSA) if the document is found to be a classified secret.
"If it is, we can take action. We can also check on how Keadilan obtained the document," he reportedly said.
Lim urged Abdullah to explain what aspect of national security had been undermined "if the government respects the people's right to know".
"What has happened to all the government talk about protecting whistle blowers to ensure accountability, integrity and good governance?" he asked.
He said the people have a right to information that would help build good governance, transparency, accountability and participation, and eliminate corruption.
In this respect, he pointed out that countries with access to an information law are perceived to be the least corrupt.
"Of the 10 countries scoring best in Transparency International's annual Corruption Perception Index since the start of the series in 1995, nine have effective legislation enabling the public to see government files," he added.
"Of the 10 countries perceived to be the worst when it comes to corruption, not even one had a functioning access to information regime."
He was referring to the country's low ranking of 44 out of 163 countries surveyed last year, representing a drop of five positions since 2004.
PKR had revealed details of a toll concession agreement last Thursday, to back its case against the recent toll hike along the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP).
"It is very disappointing to read the (prime minister's) response to the publication of the LDP concession agreement between the government and Lingkaran Trans Kota Sdn Bhd (Litrak)," said Lim in a statement today.
He said Abdullah should have instead announced a policy commitment to introduce Freedom of Information legislation.
"When he became prime minister, he pledged a 'clean, incorruptible, modest and beyond suspicion' government and called on Malaysians to tell him the truth," Lim said. "All these promises of an open government have come to nought as the people's right to information is not recognised or entrenched by law."
Abdullah was quoted in the New Straits Times today as saying that action could be taken against PKR for breaching the Official Secrets Act (OSA) if the document is found to be a classified secret.
"If it is, we can take action. We can also check on how Keadilan obtained the document," he reportedly said.
Lim urged Abdullah to explain what aspect of national security had been undermined "if the government respects the people's right to know". "What has happened to all the government talk about protecting whistle blowers to ensure accountability, integrity and good governance?" he asked.
He said the people have a right to information that would help build good governance, transparency, accountability and participation, and eliminate corruption.
In this respect, he pointed out that countries with access to an information law are perceived to be the least corrupt.
"Of the 10 countries scoring best in Transparency International's annual Corruption Perception Index since the start of the series in 1995, nine have effective legislation enabling the public to see government files," he added.
"Of the 10 countries perceived to be the worst when it comes to corruption, not even one had a functioning access to information regime."
He was referring to the country's low ranking of 44 out of 163 countries surveyed last year, representing a drop of five positions since 2004.
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