Just four minutes after the Parliament session resumed its debate on the controversial DNA bill, the calm and civilised House erupted into a war zone.

anwar ibrahim sodomy allegation saiful bukhari azlan first day in court 070808 lim kit siang 01 As soon as proceedings began, opposition stalwart Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) launched a verbal assault on the BN-led government, attacking the rationale of rushing the bill for debate.

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“Yes, I know the House rules allow the bill to be brought forward for debate but what are the justifications? The minister has not given any proper justifications as to why it has to be rushed.

“We as MPs have the right to know the reasons for this drastic action taken by the home minister (Syed Hamid Albar). Are you afraid of something?” asked Lim.

Lim was believed to be referring to PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s return to Parliament after a decade of absence in politics tomorrow after winning the Permatang Pauh by-election yesterday.

Lim suggested that Syed Hamid rushed the second reading of the bill to avoid having Anwar back in time to join in the opposition’s assault on the bill, believed to have been drafted to dampen Anwar’s political resurgence.

dna testing 180708 Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat) however stood up and told Lim that the BN MPs were not afraid of Anwar and pointed out that the debate could be stretched to tomorrow when Anwar is scheduled to be sworn in.

“Do you think we are afraid? Stretch the debate until tomorrow so we can have Anwar join in the debate as well,” said Puad.

Another BN MP, Lilah Yasin (Jempol) backed Puad and claimed that the opposition was trying to postponed the DNA bill debate until Anwar is sworn in as MP due to the lack of intellectual quality in the opposition camp.

“This behaviour reflects the lack of calibre of the opposition MPs to debate the matter as they have to wait for Anwar to be present first to speak on the matter,” said Lilah.

DNA bill can be manipulated

Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP-Kepong) said it was important to first draft a DNA data protection bill before serious discussion of the current DNA bill can commence.

He said this was because there are clauses in the DNA bill that lack proper safeguards on who can obtain the DNA information, making it susceptible to manipulation.

Despite being present in the House today, Syed Hamid did not address the issues brought up by Lim and the other opposition MPs. Nor did he clarify why the bill was being pushed forward.

Yesterday the bill was tabled by the home minister for second reading at the expense of sidelining another controversial bill, the University and University Colleges Act amendment bill.

Opposition MPs as well as the Bar Council have blasted the government for rushing the DNA bill through for second reading, alleging the move was politically motivated and have demanded that it be deferred.

The bill is currently undergoing its second day of debate and is expected to undergo a prolonged debate due to the controversial nature of the bill.