THE first draft of the Witness Protection Bill by the attorney-general's office has been distributed to the relevant ministries and government agencies for feedback, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz disclosed yesterday.The life stories of these five men and 33 others, all recipents of the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (S.P.) and Panglima Gagah Berani (P.G.B.) medals, will be narrated to the police force on Jan 7 and 8 to enhance the integrity of the members.

He said once the feedback is received, the draft Bill will be tabled to the Cabinet for approval.

"After the Parliament's first reading and debate, it will be passed and gazetted as an Act," he told reporters at an Aidilfitri gathering organised by the Perak Anti-Corruption Agency in Ipoh yesterday.

Present were ACA deputy director-general I Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed and Perak ACA director Samsiah Abu Bakar.

Nazri said the claim by Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation director Datuk Ramli Yusuff that the ACA had leaked information on an informant in the investigation papers of the case against him, will not affect the confidence of the public to provide information to the relevant enforcement agencies.

"The ACA will not reveal its sources to the public. The officers are sworn to secrecy. If there is leakage of information on whistle-blowers, it could be from other sources."

He said Section 53 of the ACA Act provided adequate protection for whistle-blowers until the cases are brought to court.

The cases are no secret when brought to court.

"The public will then know who the witnesses are and who lodged the complaints against the accused," he said. - Bernama

Source: Malay Mail, 5 November 2007