Dewan Negara passes amendments to two bills on crime and evidence

KUALA LUMPUR: The Senate today passed two bills on the Criminal Procedure Code and Evidence.
The Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill 2015 was tabled and wound-up by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri, while the Evidence (Amendment) Bill 2015 was tabled and wound-up by Deputy Minister of Tourism and Culture Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin for the Prime Minister's Department.
The Criminal Procedure Code Bill (Amendment) 2015 which is aimed at improving the procedure into the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases was passed with amendments, including Clause 10 in subsection 399B(1) which replaces the words "conclusive proof" with "prima facie proof", said Nancy when tabling the bill.
She said the amendments provide that any evidence or report given by an expert relating to an activity, structure, practice, ceremony or any other matter relating to a planned crime must be accepted as prima facie evidence.
The amendments also increased the conditions for bail imposed on the offender such as handing over his passport to the court, and reporting to the police station and the Immigration Department at the border entry and exit points, she said.
The bill will also ensure that witnesses are given protection before a request is made by the prosecution in court.
"Under Section 265(A), the court must hold an inquiry to decide if the witness is eligible for protection or not. In this matter, there are two screenings by the prosecution and the court," she said.
Meanwhile, the Evidence (Amendment) Bill 2015 is to resolve issues related to unwilling witnesses who are worried about their safety in court to provide evidence. — Bernama