The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) urges the government to conduct meaningful public consultation for its proposed Witness Protection Bill, which has been on the table for the last seven years. While it is encouraging to read that the government is serious in ensuring protection of witnesses, a draft legislation that is of utmost public concern and interest must be open for wide and meaningful discussions.

On Nov 4, the national news agency Bernama reported that Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz announced the draft bill is now being distributed for feedback among government agencies and ministries. He said the bill would be tabled once feedback has been received.

No mention was made about making the draft bill available for public discussion. The Witness Protection Bill made headlines in the wake of the disclosure of a videotape showing the alleged communication between a lawyer and a judge on the appointment of senior judges. Nazri stated that there was an Act that could protect the ones who possessed the original version of the video.

CIJ wishes to emphasise that the call for open discussion is not only intended for this new piece of legislation but for all draft laws and amendments to existing laws. The practice of declaring draft bills under the secrecy law, Official Secrets Act, is a violation of citizens' right to know and to express his or her views on matters that would affect him or her.

Representatives in Parliament and interest groups often complain that they have very limited time to provide feedback on draft bills introduced in the Dewan Rakyat, usually at risk of having none of their inputs considered in the debates or voting.

In the case of the Witness Protection Bill, the public must have the confidence that witnesses are adequately and appropriately protected, especially in cases where their lives, reputation and position could be at risk for disclosure of their testimonies.

CIJ calls on the minister to allow for public consultation of the Witness Protection Bill as well as all new draft laws or draft bills to amend or repeal existing legislation. The government should encourage participatory governance if it intends to convince the people of its conviction in upholding openness and transparency.

Gayathry Venkiteswaran is the executive director of the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ).