©The
Star (Used by permission)
KUALA LUMPUR: It would be better to channel funds for maintaining the proposed
DNA databank under the DNA Identification Bill to crime prevention instead, said
the Bar Council.
It’s vice–president K. Ragunath said it would cost a lot to maintain a DNA
databank and such money would be put to better use if it beefed up the police
force, allowed for more police beats, improved training facilities and upgraded
the police computer system.
“The Government needs to clarify how many percentage of cases require DNA
profiling and what sort of crimes may be solved through such analysis,” he said.
He said no statistics had been provided to support the need for the DNA Bill so
far.
Ragunath said this at a press conference yesterday to announce a council forum
entitled “The DNA Bill: Do We Need It?” to be held on Monday.
“The Bar Council also does not agree with the current draft of the Bill because
we cannot accept that DNA samples can be used as conclusive evidence in court,”
he said.
“This means that the accused will not be able to object or challenge the
authenticity of the samples by presenting other forms of evidence,” Ragunath
added.
Asked whether the council’s stand had anything to do with the recent sodomy
allegation levelled against Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, he said
the council’s views were independent of any personal interest.
About 150 politicians and MPs are expected to attend the public forum debating
the relevance of the DNA Identification Bill.
Among the panelists will be Sungai Siput MP Dr D. Jeyakumar, Dr Koh Chong Lek —
the head of the Singapore–based National Institute of Education DNA Centre, and
legal experts Tommy Thomas and Datuk V. Sithambaram.
For more details call 03–20313003 and speak to Oy Sim (ext 134) or Vino (127).
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Bar: Channel funds for DNA bank to crime prevention
7 Oct 2008 12:00 am