Freedom of Information Bill ala Malaysia

Selangor has passed the Freedom of Information Bill ("FOI") after the Third reading. This is a first for Malaysia. The FOI bill in almost the same exact form and content is also on the plate in Penang. From what i have read so far, the FOI bill is not a carte blanche opening of the flood gates to quench every citizen's thirst for information and government accountability. It's a pale shadow of what developed democracies have. You gotta pay for information, they have 30 days to consider whether to give you the info you asked for, and if you misuse the information it's a compoundable and jailable offence. But it is a significant first step, if only just symbolically, for a developing nation like Malaysia. It's better than nothing. And I for one support it whole-heartedly.