It was determined by the Federal Court on 13 August 2020 (Letitia Bosman’s case) that only Parliament has the power to enact legislation on offences and to prescribe punishments for the offences, including mandatory death penalty.
In light of this landmark majority verdict delivered by the Federal Court, the Malaysian Bar renews its call to the government to consider abolishing the death penalty as a form of punishment.
While acknowledging the strong dissenting opinion expressed in Letitia Bosman’s case, it is trite now that only Parliament has the power to legislate offences and prescribe punishments.
However, in other instances, against the backdrop of the Federal Court decisions in Alma Nudo Atenza v PP & Another Appeal [2019] and Semenyih Jaya Sdn Bhd v Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Hulu Langat [2017], the judiciary is empowered as the gatekeeper to strike down any laws that are against the Federal Constitution.
The Malaysian Bar also proposes the establishment of a sentencing council for non-capital punishment cases, comprised of all the stakeholders in the administration of justice.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a pledge or schedule an auto donation to Aliran every month or every quarter
- Become an Aliran member
Salim Bashir is president of the Malaysian Bar
This piece dated 14 August 2020 is reproduced from here and has been edited for style only
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
