Opposition Stage Parliament Walkout Over DNA Identification Bill

The opposition walked out in protest from parliamentary proceedings this afternoon, following the rejection by the Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar to refer the DNA Identification Bill to a select committee. As a result of the walkout, the third reading of the Bill will be dealt with only after the tabling of the Budget tomorrow.

Earlier newly-appointed Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim challenged the DNA Bill by saying, "don't Yang Berhormat agree with me that the one with no credibility is the corruption-ridden Government? This is the Government which tabled a Bill last Monday, giving no opportunity to MPs, including those of friends from the other side, to study it, and presented it with malicious intention.

"This is a Bill which has seen opposition from both the Bar Council and non-governmental groups," adding that the Opposition would support any Bill that would benefit the people. "But we are against the method employed by the Government to push this Bill through without taking heed of the public's voice," he said.

The Opposition had argued that the Bill was "politically motivated" in light of the sodomy case against Anwar.