PM: Don't politicise DNA bill

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today urged all parties not to politicise the DNA Bill 2008 which was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

The premier dismissed the assumption that the bill was connected to PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy charge.

According to him, the government had wanted for a long time to take the matter relating to DNA and the Act to Parliament.

If DNA became an issue in the case, it was a coincidence, he said.

"This Act is good for us and for the future because it will be an important approach in efforts by the authorities to be more effective in combating crimes," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Abdullah was asked to comment on claims by certain parties that the Act, which requires crime suspects to give their DNA samples, is politically motivated.

Anwar pleaded not guilty in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Aug 7 to sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, at a condominium in Kuala Lumpur on June 26 and was released on personal bond of RM20,000 without security.

When detained by police earlier, the former deputy prime minister refused to give his DNA sample on the ground that it could be manipulated.

Nothing to do with Anwar

Abdullah said it was not the government's intention to create the DNA bill because of Anwar's case.

The Act was formulated to help in research which could require DNA for proof, he said.

Asked whether the government would make it compulsory for DNA data to be taken at birth, he said it would be discussed during the debate on the bill.

"If there are any weaknesses in the bill that need addition or amendment, it will be allowed even during the debate," he added.

Meanwhile, Abdullah, who is also Barisan Nasional chairperson, was asked to comment on Gerakan veteran Dr Toh Kin Woon’s resignation.

He said maybe Toh was impatient with situation faced by Gerakan after the last general election.

"That's just a guess. I don't know. If he no longer wanted to be a member, we won't force him.