The Witness Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026, aimed at enhancing witness protection with psychological and post-protection support, was tabled for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Witness Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026, which aims to enhance witness protection and provide psychological support and post-protection assistance, was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, when tabling the Bill, said it would be presented for its second reading during the current sitting.
According to a copy of the Bill uploaded to Parliament’s official portal, one of the key amendments would allow a parent or guardian to apply for admission into the witness protection programme on behalf of a witness who lacks legal capacity.
Clause 2 of the Bill seeks to amend subsection 7(3) of the Witness Protection Act 2009 (Act 696) by inserting the words “or lacks legal capacity” after the words “under the age of eighteen years”.
Meanwhile, Clause 3 proposes the introduction of new Sections 10A and 10B into Act 696.
Under the proposed Section 10A, a participant in the witness protection programme, or a person acting on the participant’s behalf, would be required to enter into a written agreement setting out the terms and conditions of the protection and assistance provided under the programme, the participant’s obligations, and other related matters. The agreement must be executed before a designated officer.
The proposed Section 10B provides for the continuation of existing agreements entered into between programme participants and the government before the amendment comes into force, provided those agreements remain valid. It also stipulates that both parties will continue to be subject to, and entitled to, the rights and benefits provided under the amended Act.
Clause 4 seeks to amend subsection 13(2) of Act 696 to include psychological assistance, including counselling services, as part of the support that may be provided to participants in the witness protection programme.
