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Published: Thursday August 16, 2012 MYT 12:49:00 PM
Updated: Thursday August 16, 2012 MYT 1:09:21 PM

Rais: Evidence Act to be maintained

By LOH FOON FONG


KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet decided at its meeting on Wednesday to maintain the recently-passed Evidence Act 1950, said Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

He said the Cabinet discussed the issue exhaustively and decided not to make any changes because Parliament was represented by the ruling party and the opposition had debated on it.

"Once it is officially passed, to do something now is an after thought," he said after launching the Merdeka Taxi Advertisement and delivery of Raya cards in Kg Desa Pahlawan on Thursday.

Rais said he would leave to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri to further explain the matter.

The amendment to Section 114A was one of two made to the Act, and which were gazetted in July, receiving various reactions from Internet users.

A campaign was mounted against the Act by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) with its banner titled 'Stop 114A' appearing on Facebook and downloaded by Internet users in the country.

The development caught the attention of the Prime Minister, now in Mecca attending the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Extraordinary Summit, and he immediately asked the Cabinet to discuss the issue, through his Twitter account Tuesday.

Related Stories:
MPs pushing for Section 114A to be amended at September meeting
Rais: Cabinet carefully studying Evidence Act
PM: Review Evidence Act
PM asks cabinet to discuss Evidence Act 1950
MCA VP calls for review of Section 114A of Evidence Act

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