Seeking public’s views on sex crimes

By Audrey Eedwards
July 27, 2004

Kuala Lumpur - The special committee set up to obtain public views on punishment for sex offenders under the Penal Code Bill and the Criminal Procedure Code Bill will start its “meet-the-people sessions” next month.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said the first round would be a five-day meeting to be held at Parliament House from Aug 16.

“We plan to start on Aug 16 for five days in KL because the committee feels that there are many NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and other bodies which will come forward to meet us.

“Some of the ideas may not be relevant, but we will listen to them,” he said after chairing the seven-man committee’s first meeting yesterday.

He said the committee was scheduled to hold similar sessions in Malacca, Johor Baru, Sabah, Sarawak, Penang, Kedah and Ipoh.

“During our rest period, the committee will meet and draw conclusions from the suggestions obtained,” he said, adding that the committee would take a week to draw up the final proposal with help of officers from the Prime Minister’s Department and Attorney-General’s Chambers.

The committee is made up of Barisan Nasional MPs Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar from Santubong, S. Devamany (Cameron Highlands), Tan Ah Eng (Gelang Patah), Donald Peter Mojuntin (Penampang), Che Min Che Ahmad (Pasir Puteh) and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok of the DAP.

The public can also air their opinions by writing to the committee or meeting its members personally at the specified venues.

Mohd Radzi said the sessions would be videotaped while the transcripts, reports and recommendations of the committee would be compiled for the MPs.

“It has to be tabled the latest by July next year,” he said.

The public can write to Setiausaha Dewan Rakyat/Setiausaha Jawatankuasa Pilihan Khas, Parlimen Malaysia, Bangunan Parlimen, Jalan Parlimen, 50680, Kuala Lumpur or fax to 03-2698 6170.

The Bills and their explanation can be obtained from the secretariat, sixth floor, Parliament House (telephone number: 03-2079 7489/2079 7199)

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