KUALA LUMPUR, 2 Dec 2008: The debate on the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Identification Bill 2008 at the committee stage has been postponed, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said today.
He said the deferment was to make way for the tabling of several new and more important bills including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Establishment Bill.
It would also allow the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill and Special Complaints Commission Bill to be debated urgently, he added.
“Since such bills are to be debated urgently, I agree for the postponement of the DNA bill which is now at the committee stage and the third reading will be held in the next meeting,” he said.
The ministry also took into consideration the need to look at the views expressed during the previous debate on the DNA bill, he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.
According to the Dewan Rakyat Order Paper, the second item after the completion of the debate and winding up of the Supply Bill 2009 on 4 Dec is the debate on the DNA bill.
Meanwhile, Syed Hamid said preventive and monitoring measures including the Internal Security Act (ISA) helped Malaysia deal with the existence of radical and extremist groups which could undermine public security.
“We also receive intelligence information and exchange information with intelligence agencies both in the region and internationally.
“We are also fortunate because the ISA is there where we can ensure radical and extremist groups which can affect national security do not cause trouble.
Similarly, militant and terrorist activities do not exist in our country,” he said.
However, he said the government was constantly on alert and would continue the surveillance to ensure extremist activities like what happened in several countries abroad do not spread to this country. — Bernama
See also: Two reform bills in five days
