©The
Sun (Used by permission)
by Tim Leonard
From L–R: Charperson Human Rights Committe Bar Council, Edmund Bon, Vice
President Ragunath Kesaran and Deputy Chairman Criminal Law Committe Bar
Council, Rajpal Singh at the press conference.
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 6, 2008) : The Bar Council, which strongly
opposes the Government's proposal to implement the DNA Identification Bill as
tabled in Parliament in August, will be holding a public forum entitled "The
DNA Bill – Do We Need It?" on Oct 13.
Its vice–president Ragunath Kesavan said five speakers will present their
viewpoints on various aspects of the Bill and those who attend the forum can
then pose questions on the subject.
"The Bar Council's stand is clear. The DNA Bill should not be implemented," said
Ragunath at a press conference today.
"But if the Government insists (on going ahead), then we will look into working
with the Government."
He said there several reasons why there is no need for such a Bill.
"The Bill does not contain adequate legal safequards and would place excessive
powers in the hands of the police and the Minister because the DNA profiling is
generally assumed to be precise and infallible science.
"The main concern is the conclusive evidence clause (of the Bill), which
provides that DNA evidence would be conclusive proof. As a result, the accused
cannot challenge the veracity and authencity of DNA samples by presenting other
forms of evidence."
Ragunath said the Bill is also problematic because it permits DNA samples to be
taken from too wide a range of persons and will punish those who refuse to
provide DNA samples.
"With the lack of a Data Protection Act , there are grave concerns that the Bill
would result in infringements on privacy rights."
He said there is also a high cost factor in implementing the Bill.
"The money could be put to better use on crime prevention efforts and to solve
crime."
He added concrete measures must be taken by the Government in solving crimes
such as increasing police personnel on street patrols, setting up more police
beats, improving training facilities, upgrading the equipment and support
systems at all police stations and improving the salary structure of police
personnel.
Among the speakers at the forum are Dr Koh Chong Lek, Head of DNA Centre of the
Nanyang Technological University of Singapore; Sungai Siput MP Dr Jeyakumar
Devaraj who is a medical doctor; lawyers Tommy Thomas and Datuk V. Sithambaram;
and a representative from the Police Forensics Division.
The forum will start at 5pm at the Bar Council Auditorium. Admission is free and
those who wish to attend can call 03–20313003.