Man charged with murder of two women
SIBU: A man was charged today under Section 302 of the Penal Code with the murder of two Indonesian women in Daro last month. Ahmad Robin will face mandatory death penalty upon conviction. The 31-year-old accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, and remained silent when the charge was read out against him in […]
The minefield of justice
Government prevents injustice, other than such as it commits itself. — Ibn Khaldun, Tunisian political thinker Once upon a justice, Greek historian Herodotus recorded the macabre end of Sisamnes, a corrupt judge under Cambyses II of Persia. He accepted a bribe and delivered an unjust verdict. As a result, the king had him arrested and […]
Cabinet to deliberate on alternative sentence to mandatory death penalty
KUCHING: Reports on a study about an alternative to the mandatory death penalty will be tabled at a federal Cabinet meeting for consideration and approval before the end of next month. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar explained that the study was in line with the government’s intention […]
Jettisoning jurors is jejune justice
A right to jury trial is granted to criminal defendants in order to prevent oppression by the government. — Byron White, former Associate Justice, US Supreme Court Section 302, Penal Code, Malaysia (Act 574): Whoever commits murder shall be punished with death. These ominous eight words defying constitutional gravity to the right to life and personal […]
Unemployed man to face drug trafficking charge
KUCHING: The Magistrates’ Court here today ordered a drug trafficking case to be transferred to the High court after allowing an application by the prosecution. Magistrate Syarifah Fatimah Azura Wan Ali ordered the case against Samuel Max Sigar Tabat to be heard in the high court after allowing the application from the prosecuting officer. Samuel […]
Student escapes death penalty
KUCHING: A student of an institution of higher learning can now breathe a huge sigh of relief after escaping the death penalty when the High Court here acquitted her of trafficking 3.155kg of marijuana. Kuching High Court judge Azhahari Kamal Ramli made the decision after the prosecution failed to prove prima facie against the accused, […]
