Source TheStar
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.
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