Chow Kon Yeow: 曹观友

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Abdul Aziz today tabled for first reading a bill to enact the Evidence of Child Witness Act 2007.

This is a new Act to make provisions relating to the giving of evidence by child witnesses in court.

A “Child witness” means a person under the age of 16 years who is called or proposed to be called to give evidence in any proceedings but does not include an accused or a child charged with any offence.

Part II of the Act deals with the manner of giving evidence by child witnesses.

Clause 14 seeks to restrict the media reporting and publication of the particulars of a child witness in a proceeding which may lead to the identification of the child witness. It also provides for the penalty for non-compliance with this provision.

The debate is expected next week. Anyone with views is welcome to e-mail at mptanjong1@yahoo.com

Last Thursday, the parliamentary secretary to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Dato Sazmi bin Miah gave an assurance at Parliament that the government would be proposing amendments to redress the injustices in the Adnorna Properties land case. Meanwhile he said a Joint Technical Committee from the Land Administrator and Police will be formed to tackle the problems of cheating and forgery in land titles. We hope the grave injustices would be addressed.Read the exchanges in Parliament:
Isu pentadbiran tanah. Ahli Yang Berhormat bagi Serdang dan Tanjong mencadangkan
supaya dikaji semula dan disemak semula peruntukan-peruntukan dalam Kanun Tanah Negara
1965 bagi mengelakkan berlakunya isu-isu pindah milik tanah tanpa pengetahuan pemilik asal. (more…)

Malaysiakini has the following story on the Rayappan case, ” A tale of two courts”. This morning, we read that the A-G was asked by Cabinet to confirm Rayappan’s religious status. Can the AG do so, especially the matter is already before the syariah and civil courts? Looks like a tale of three courts.

Rayappan case: A tale of two courts
Andrew Ong
Dec 6, 06 7:23pm

The tussle over Rayappan Anthony’s body between his family and the Selangor Islamic Affairs Council (Mais) has been referred to a higher court by the Syariah High Court today.

In making the decision, High Court judge Abu Zaky Mohammad said his court had no jurisdiction to hear the case and set Dec 12 for the case to be heard by the appellate court.

A-G to confirm religious status (the Star)
The Cabinet has directed the Attorney-General to look into the case of Rayappan Anthony (pic) to confirm his religious status, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said. The Cabinet had discussed the issue and had agreed to hand over the case to the A-G as it was important that it be resolved.