Lets Celebrate International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) 2022 together!

Today marks the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), with the global theme for 2022 “Artificial Intelligence, e-governance and Access to Information”. The theme highlights the importance of access to information in a time when artificial intelligence is transforming the world, and governments are moving towards prioritising digitalisation in their national policies.
 
Centre for Independent Journalism, as the organisation at the forefront of promoting right to information in Malaysia, together with its partners in civil society, academia and media hopes that the government will expedite its efforts in legislating the federal Right to Information (RTI) Act in Malaysia. The Legal Affairs Division (Bahagian Hal Ehwal Undang-undang BHEUU), under the Prime Minister’s Department is spearheading the government’s commitment in moving forward with the legislation of a new federal RTI law. BHEUU has initiated a process of deliberation and consultations with various stakeholders in studying the feasibility of drafting a new RTI legislation. Since 2019, CIJ has collaborated with BHEUU on forums that have initiated partnerships between government agencies, SUHAKAM, parliamentarians, international experts, civil society organisations, and relevant media entities, amongst others.
 
The recent unveiling of the Malaysia National Artificial Intelligence Roadmap 2021-2025 (AIRMAP) in March 2021 demonstrates that Malaysia is committed to introducing and integrating artificial intelligence in all sectors for economic and productivity gains as well as promoting digital adoption at all levels of society for the public’s benefit. Aside from using and adopting technology for economic growth and resiliency, the government has outlined strategies to also become innovators in the AI field. The Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint with strategic thrusts that include “digital transformation in the public sector” as well as “build trusted secure and ethical digital environment” paves the way towards making Malaysia a leader in digital content and cyber security in the region by 2030.
 
The adoption of AI in governance will impact the rights of the public, media, academics, and civil society actors in accessing information held by public bodies on issues related to information integrity, privacy protection, transparency, safety, principles and ethical standards on AI governance. The Malaysian public are highly connected to the internet, using both public and private digital platforms, thus giving both the government and the corporate sector the power to shape public and user access and participation in the public sphere through policies. Thus, there is a critical need to assess the impact of AI within the current and future information landscape. Mark your calendars and check out highlights for the celebration of IDUAI in Malaysia! CIJ in collaboration with BHEUU and UNESCO will be organising the IDUAI Forum 2022 on 20 October 2022 at the BHEUU Conference Hall, Putrajaya. This event will provide an opportunity to discuss the complexities arising from the changing information landscape and review emerging trends and related risks linked to data intensive governance models. Furthermore, discussions will focus on identifying collaborative and innovative ways to ensure adequate protections are in place when moving forward with an inclusive application of AI for all areas in accessing information. This includes ensuring that there is civic space and public participation on the progress of the State in their commitment to Sustainable Development Goals 16.10.2 on adopting and implementing constitutional guarantees for right to information.
 
It is our sincere aspiration that every person in Malaysia would be able to exercise their right to access information that affect their lives and livelihood, for better public participation in matters of public interest. We also hope that the government steps up measures to facilitate an enabling environment for making information held by public bodies more accessible to the public, in an effort to restore public trust, promote transparency and accountability as well as strengthen good governance.
 

28 September 2022

Wathshlah G. Naidu
CIJ Executive Director