STRATEGIC TRADE BILL 2010 TABLED IN PARLIAMENT

KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 (Bernama) -- The Strategic Trade Bill 2010 which
provides for control over the export, transhipment, transit and brokering of
strategic items including arms, consistent with Malaysia's national security and
international obligations, was tabled in parliament Thursday.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Liew Vui Keong
tabled the Bill which has 57 clauses and six parts, for the first reading.

The Bill will provide control over activities that will or may facilitate
the design, development and production of weapons of mass destruction and their
delivery systems and for other matters connected therewith.

Among others, Part III of the Bill deals with the control of strategic
items, unlisted items and restricted activities.

Clause 10 seeks to prohibit any person from providing technical assistance
within or outside Malaysia if such technical assistance is intended for use in
connection with a restricted activity.

Part IV of the bill deals with the permits and registration required under
the proposed Act, Clause 16 deals with the grant and refusal of permits, while
Clause 17 deals with suspension and revocation.

Clause 36 empowers an authorised officer to arrest without warrant any
person found committing or attempting to commit an offence under the proposed
Act, while Clause 43 seeks to empower the forfeiture of seized items where there
is no prosecution or conviction.

The Bill also seeks to empower the minister to make regulations and grant
exemptions.

-- BERNAMA