WITNESS PROTECTION BILL PASSED

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (Bernama) -- The Lower House of parliament Monday
passed the Witness Protection Bill 2008, which among others, will enable
witnesses to be given new identities so that they will not come to harm.

The Bill tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri
Abdul Aziz was approved without any amendments made.

"The MyKad identity document of the witness will be changed to conceal his
identity including the family name so he will not be exposed. As long there is
any threat to his safety, he will be paced under a witness protection
programme," Mohamed Nazri said when winding debate on the Bill.

He added that only persons authorised by the Attorney-General could have
access to the identities of such protected witnesses.

Unauthorized revealing of their identities can earn the offender a fine not
exceeding RM50,000 (US$13,801) or jail up to 10 years or both, if convicted.
-- BERNAMA