Mr. Abdul Malek, Chief Information Commissioner, Information Commission Bangladesh joined on 22 March 2023. Prior to this, he was working as Information Commissioner from 30 January 2020 to 21 March 2023. Mr. Malek has a long and illustrious career of 34 years in Bangladesh Civil Service marking diversified experience of working both at field and policy levels. His experience covers working for field level Administrations and Ministry level in the Ministry of Public Administration, Ministry of Textile, Bureau of Anti-Corruption, Ministry of Labourand Ministry of Land. As a Secretary to the Government he served in the Local Government Division and Ministry of Information.
Territory: Bangladesh Continent: Asia Competence: ATI/RTI only Year established: 2009 Numebr of staff: 76
Shlomi Bielawsky was appointed acting head of the Freedom of Information Unit in January 2019. He has a first degree in law and philosophy and a second degree in law. He is a lawyer by profession. Prior to this he served as Deputy Head of the Freedom of Information Unit for six years. Mr. Bielawsky is committed to transparency values and believes in a practical and balanced approach towards freedom of information issues.
In English: Freedom of Information Unit Continent: Asia Competence: Privacy / Data Protection and ATI/RTI only Jurisdiction: Federal Year established: 2011 Numebr of staff: 9
Freedom of Information – Information Commissioner’s Office, Republic of Maldives
Maldives
Head of authority: Ahmed Ahid Rasheed
Ahmed Ahid Rasheed is the Information Commissioner of the Maldives. Prior to being appointed to this position in September 2021, he worked at Transparency Maldives, Transparency International’s local chapter in Maldives, as their Governance Manager. Rasheed has been working in promoting access to information since he joined Transparency Maldives in 2013. His work in this area included advocating for the enactment of a strong access to information law, stronger enforcement of the law, and in raising awareness amongst the public of this right. His work in other areas includes advocating for protections of whistleblowers, migrant worker rights, and asset declarations of public officials. Prior to this he worked as Legal Officer at the Anti-Corruption Board. Rasheed holds an LLB (Hons.) Law Degree from Staffordshire University, UK.
Continent: Asia Competence: ATI / RTI only Jurisdiction: National Year established: 2014 Numebr of staff: 18
राष्ट्रिय सूचना आयोग (National Information Commission)
Nepal
Head of authority: Mr Mahendra Man Gurung (Chief Information Commissioner) Ms Kamala Oli Thapa Information Commissioner Mr. Ratna Prasad Mainali Information Commissioner
Territory: Nepal Continent: Asia Competence: ATI / RTI only Jurisdiction: Federal Year established: 2007
پاکستان انفارمیشن کمیشن (Pakistan Information Commission)
Pakistan
Head of authority: Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui
With a career spanning 37 years, Mr. Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui has accumulated vast experience in both the public and private sectors, encompassing a diverse range of domains. His professional journey has included roles as Secretary of Important Ministries and Provincial Departments, where they have demonstrated their leadership and expertise.
He also led dynamic organizations and chaired the board of directors of both listed companies and Section 42 Companies. Notably, they have provided leadership as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of a National Telecommunication Company and the Head of the Board of Governors of Virtual University of Pakistan.
His contributions extend to serving on the boards of various entities in sectors such as Aviation, Communication, Power, and Logistics. In addition to his extensive administrative and managerial roles, he has excelled in handling dispute resolution, addressing public grievances, and settling complaints, highlighting their commitment to effective governance.
His experience in public administration and local government further underscores their extensive and impactful career.
Territory: Pakistan Continent: Asia Competence: ATI / RTI only Scope: Federal Year established: 2018 Number of staff: 09
He served as District & Sessions Judge in a number of Districts of Punjab, Solicitor of GOP and Registrar of Lahore High Court for about 2/3 years. He also served as Secretary Red Crescent Punjab.
Territory: Punjab Continent: Asia Competence: ATI / RTI only Scope: Provincial Year established: 2014 Number of staff: 43
Relevant Laws
Activities:
Latest report is being published to be presented before the Provincial legislature. it would be available in couple of weeks
Freedom of Information - Program Management Office (FOI-PMO)
Philippines
Head of authority: Krizia Casey P. Avejar
Krizia Casey Avejar heads the Freedom of Information – Program Management Office (FOI-PMO) as the FOI Program Director. Concurrently, the Chief of the Communications and Capacity Development Division of the FOI-PMO.
With over 8 years of experience in public service, Ms. Avejar was part of the pioneer team who established the freedom of information office in the country under the leadership of the FOI Philippines founder Atty. Kristian R. Ablan.
She earned a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration at De La Salle College of St. Benilde and a Master of Management in Business Management from the University of the Philippines Manila.
Continent: Asia Competence: ATI / RTI only Jurisdiction: Federal / Republic Year established: 2017 Number of staff: 40 personnel and 1 official
বাংলাদেশ এনজিওস নেটওয়ার্ক ফর রেডিও অ্যান্ড কমিউনিকেশন
Bangladesh (observer)
Head of authority: AHM Bazlur Rahman
Within the last two decades Mr. Rahman has been carrying out numerous projects, interventions, and initiatives at national, regional, and international levels about media development, ICT for Development, Access to Information and digital transformation. He has been taken as a leading player in many international conferences and summits dealing with fostering ICT innovation and development of ICT ecosystem, information & knowledge society, and advancements of digital transformation from the Asia and Pacific since 2000.
He has promoted UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Actin line C1 – C11, Report of the UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation report, the UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation Roadmap on Digital Cooperation and United Nations Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda (2021) in Bangladesh as the facilitator.
He is a recipient of awards of the UN WSIS prize winner 2016 and Champion 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023 for UN WSIS action line localization. After receiving the prestigious the United Nations recognition for the seventh times, he has driven multi-stakeholders more effectively which resulted in sharp rise in research and development process in ensuring at the response through an equity lens & Shaping the Future of Media, Entertainment & Society in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Currently, he playing as the Executive Coordinator of Bangladesh Initiative for Connecting, Empowering & Amplifying Unified Voices on Global Digital Compact & UN Summit for the Future 2024 as the additional capacity.
He has been enjoying the Legislative Development Fellowship under the Professional Development Fellowship Program of the US Department of State since 2012.
Continent: Asia Competence: Privacy/Data Protection and ATI / RTI Jurisdiction: Federal Year established: 2000 Number of staff: 10
Relevant Laws
RTI Act in Bangladesh 2009
National Broadcasting Policy 2024
National Online Mass media Policy 2027
Community Radio Policy 2018
Contact details:
Address: Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication, House: 9/4 Road:2 Shamoli, Dhaka 1207 Bangladesh Website: <a href="https://bnnrc.net/
On May 8th, 2023, Professor Dr. Mohd Nazri bin Kama assumed the role of Director General at the Department of Personal Data Protection and followed on June 15th 2023 as the Commissioner of Personal Data Protection Malaysia. The Commissioner enforces the PDPA, provides guidance, handles complaints, oversees data transfers, conducts inspections, collaborates internationally, and offers training to protect personal data and privacy rights. Armed with a wealth of expertise spanning Data Management, Computer System Development, and Data Analytics, he brings formidable credentials.
Dr. Nazri holds a Doctorate in Software Engineering from the University of Western Australia (2011), a Master's in Real-Time Software Engineering (2003), and a Bachelor's in Database Management (1999) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. His prior roles include serving as the Special Advisor on Data Protection and Privacy to the Minister of Communication and Digital, alongside memberships in esteemed organizations and leadership positions in academia.
Continent: Asia Competence: Privacy/Data Protection and ATI / RTI Jurisdiction: Federal, National Security Year established: 16 May 2011 Number of staff: 65
Address: Aras 6, Kompleks Kementerian Komunikasi, Lot 4G9, Persiaran Perdana, Presint 4, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,
62100 Putrajaya, Malaysia
Website: https://www.pdp.gov.my/jpdpv2/?lang=en
