Six bills withdrawn for fine-tuning

The New Straits Times 
by ILI LIYANA MOKHTAR AND ELVINA FERNANDEZ

OPEN APPROACH: Government to improve them after taking into account people's views, says minister

SIX bills have been withdrawn from the Dewan Rakyat, including an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Code  Bill 2013, to allow more time to fine-tune them.

The bills were due for their second and third readings in the august house.

Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri and Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim as well as Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan submitted the motion to withdraw the bills.

The other bills are the Common Gaming Houses (Amendment) Bill 2013, Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2013, Pool Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013, Emblem and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) (Amendment) Bill 2013 and the Evidence (Amendment) Bill 2013.

Nancy said the government had decided to improve on the bills after taking into account the views of stakeholders, including suggestions from members of parliament, politicians, representatives of non-governmental organisations and lawyers.

"This is proof that the government is willing to listen and has the people's interests at heart.

"We are taking an open approach towards improving the judicial system."

She said the withdrawal of bills did not mean that the government was not serious about fighting crime, but that there was a commitment to make the amendments.

"Some of the opinions and suggestions we have received are parallel to the focus and objectives of the government."

Nancy said although the bills were tabled for first reading, views and suggestions could be considered to make the bills more comprehensive.