KELANTAN, 12 June 2024 - The Witness Protection Program Seminar Number 1 of 2024 organized by the Protection Division, Prime Minister's Department (BPJPM) was inaugurated by YDH CP Dato' Muhamad Zaki bin Harun, Kelantan Police Chief, this morning at the Renai Hotel Kota Bharu.
This seminar is organized with the aim of providing information regarding protection powers to program participants under the authority of the Witness Protection Act 2009 [Act 696]. This Act is the only Act that provides for a witness protection program to deal with the symptoms of intimidation and threats to important witnesses in a serious crime case, especially organized and syndicated crime cases involving the public interest.
The function and role of BPJPM is also clearly stated in Act 696 which provides protection and assistance in a holistic and reasonable manner to witnesses and participants of the Witness Protection Program non-stop. This is in line with BPJPM's principle of not compromising with any element of security leakage and in line with BPJPM's motto which is 'Protection of Witnesses Pillars of the National Justice System'.
Among the essence of the program is the Presentation of Paper 1 on the Protection of Safety and Welfare of Witnesses from the Perspective of the Witness Protection Act 2009 [Act 696] by YBrs. Tuan Khairul Anwar bin Zakaria @ Abdul Hamid, Director General of BPJPM.
The program continued with the presentation of Paper 2 and Paper 3 by YBrs. Puan Nur Hidayah Raihan binti Md. Nasir, BPJPM Registrar. The presentation of Papers 2 and 3 explains the investigation procedure for the consideration of entry into the Witness Protection Program and the effectiveness of the Witness Protection Program in court proceedings in protecting the safety of witnesses.
This seminar was attended by officers of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) Kelantan State, Kelantan State National Registration Department, Kelantan State Health Department, Kelantan State Malaysian Immigration Department and various enforcement agencies and stakeholders who have an interest in Kelantan State.
