The Bar Council said today that it was not necessary to draft a new law to protect eyewitnesses to crimes as a legislation offering statutory protection for such witnesses already exists.

"The 1947 Abduction and Criminal Intimidation of Witnesses Act, revised in 1977, provides that whoever commits criminal intimidation with intent to impede with the course of justice shall be punished," said council chairman Mah Weng Kwai in a press statement.

Mah was referring to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's statement yesterday that the government was considering drafting a law to protect eyewitnesses to crimes, adding that it was necessary as there had been cases where important eyewitnesses were threatened with dire consequences if they testified.

Mahathir had said Malaysians were reluctant to assist the police in investigations although they had witnessed crimes committed due to fear of retribution.

According to Mah, witnesses were reluctant to come forward and give evidence to the police as they find it a hassle to lodge a police report.

"If the police are more people friendly in this respect and the police procedures streamlined, perhaps more members of the public will be ready to come forward as witnesses," he said.

"The Bar Council is of the view that the Malaysian public must be further educated on civic mindedness and be reminded of their duties as citizens in a civil society," said Mah.

Political leanings

Mah also commented on Mahathir's statement that some lawyers with political leanings appeared for suspected criminals to gain political mileage, irrespective of whether their clients had committed a crime or not.

He explained that there is no rule of practice or etiquette which prohibits such lawyers to act for accused persons.