The Malaysian government on Tuesday proposed a witness protection program to encourage whistle-blowers to come forward in an effort to stamp out graft and dangerous crime.
Law Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz presented a bill in Parliament to set up the program, which would give witnesses a new identity if necessary. They could also get compensation, accommodation and new jobs.
The proposed legislation is part of a flurry of reforms being pushed by the government of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in recent weeks as he prepares to step down in March.
Abdullah had promised to fight corruption and reform the judiciary and the police force when he came to power in 2003 but has been criticized for doing little until now. Abdullah has admitted he should have started pushing for reforms earlier rather than in his last four months in office.
Under the Witness Protection Bill, the attorney general will approve applications by whistle-blowers, but protection can be revoked by the program head.
Nazri said last month that witnesses would also be able to testify in court with their faces covered, while children would be able to give evidence from behind closed doors.
It is unlikely the bill can be passed in the current Parliamentary session, which ends Thursday.
Ramon Navaratnam, president of Transparency International, welcomed the bill as a step forward, saying Malaysia does not have any comprehensive witness protection program.
Last week, government lawmakers introduced two bills to reform the Anti- Corruption Agency and to set up a committee that would select senior judges. In addition, the government announced plans Monday to form a panel to probe errant judges.
Though the Anti-Corruption Agency made a few high-profile arrests, including the former immigration director, earlier this year, many observers complain that petty and high-level corruption remains rampant in the society.