Of Bills and expenses........

THE issue which is – or should be – of concern in Parliament is not the return of one former deputy prime minister to the hallowed House. Nor is it how many esteemed members will be jumping over the stiles.

No doubt all these tales of negotiated loyalty are riveting reading, but what must not be blindsided by the sensational goings-on is the fast-tracking of the DNA Bill.

Without a select committee to study it and in the absence of experts to give their input, the Bill when passed would be a disaster to the evidential and judicial process as it places the task of collecting, disseminating and storing DNA samples solely in the police force.

Not only those, but the courts are compelled to accept the evidence adduced as the gospel truth, while the accused is precluded from calling for an independent test. This situation can be paralleled with that of the questioning of witnesses in court, where the other party has no opportunity to cross-examine.

Now, if this were a First World judicial system with a First World legislature and a First World police force, one would not be too concerned. Heck, if we were First World, this Billy-Whizzing of the DNA Bill would not have occurred in the first place.

The main concern of the Opposition and critics of the Bill is the exclusive jurisdiction and authority of the police in handling the evidence.

With events concerning our men in blue of late, doubts have been cast on their partiality and professionalism. Recent reports of confiscated drugs stored as exhibits going missing or tampered with do not bolster public confidence. So, if the security of such tangible evidence cannot be assured, what guarantees are there that something as complex as DNA will not suffer the same fate?

Six years in the backrooms, why the urgency of passing the DNA Bill now? Is it because the police have in their custody suspects of the many unsolved rapes and murders – where the only way they can make a case is by compelling these detainees to allow swabs to be taken off their persons? One hopes so, but the reality is something else.

Contrary to what some of our Opposition YBs claim, the DNA Bill is not about one man. It is about all of us and the shadow of fear we would have to live under if such a legislation that accords absolute and arbitrary powers to one party is passed.

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EVERY year, around this time, a document that outlines our nation’s spending makes its rounds in Parliament.

This document, called the Auditor-General’s Report, also exposes anomalies and how in certain instances, the people’s money is misused and how bad decisions cost the rakyat.

From spending over RM200 for screwdrivers that cost RM32, to paying RM5,700 for car-jacks that have a retail value of RM50, the report is a damning testimony of how some of those entrusted with the people’s money have been cavalier with their responsibilities.

This year, is no different as we are told how equipment to teach Science and Mathematics in English worth RM9.56 million have gone missing between 2005 and 2007 in 812 schools and the escalating cost of the Bakun Dam which has made us almost RM4 billion poorer.

One appreciates the government’s attempts at transparency by allowing the Auditor General to draft his report without interference.

One must also laud the Anti-Corruption Agency for shifting into action following the publication of the Auditor-General’s Report last year, where 10 government officers were arrested and charged.

As we pore over this year’s report, one hopes that we will finally be able to plug all the leakages that have taken a toll on the economy. It is unfair for the people to be asked to tighten their belts while there are those entrusted with public funds who continue to spend like it is their grandfather’s money.

Unnecessary office renovations, first class flights, purchase of luxury cars, throwing millions at "sports events" where there are only seven participants and spending RM1 million on opening ceremonies are not what a government that preaches austerity should be allowing its officers to do.- Terence Fernandez (Terence is deputy editor Special Reports & Investigations).

Read here too.

source/graphic : the Sun,malaysiakini

The gomen thinks they are expert in DNA profiling thus there is no need for the bill to be referred to a select committee to study it and get experts to give their input. They wanna rush this bill just for one purpose to make sure Anwar summit his DNA before the sodomy trial begins.

As for audit report,the gomen will never learn their lesson,they will repeat it over and over.

cheers.