National Unity and Social Development deputy secretary-general...

National Unity and Social Development deputy secretary-general Datuk Ahmad Ismail Sarip said that a pilot witness support programme for children will begin in February 2003. Meanwhile asked on the proposed death penalty for child rapist, Ahmad Ismail said the proposal showed that the government was serious in its effort to prevent such crime. He said, as 80 per cent of the perpetrators were family members and those close to the victims, the crimes therefore required severe punishment.