Page 1

Page 2
Malayan Law Journal Reports/2000/Volume 2/LIM GUAN ENG PU!LI" PR#$E"U%#R & '2000( 2 MLJ
)** & 1+ June 1,,,
22 pages
'2000( 2 MLJ )**
LIM GUAN ENG v PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
FEDERAL COURT (KUALA LUMPUR)
EUSOFF CHIN CHIEF JUSTICE, WAN ADNAN CJ (MALAYA) AND ZAKARIA YATIM FCJ
CRIMINAL APPEAL NOS M05- OF !""#, M-05-$ OF !""# AND M-05-5 OF !""#
!# J%&' !"""
Criminal Law -- Malicious publication of false news -- Detention of under-aged girl published as
'imprisonment' -- Presumption of malicious publication, rebuttal of -- Test applicable -- Printing Presses and
Publications Act 19! s "#1$
Criminal Law -- %edition -- Publication of false news -- Con&iction on uncorroborated e&idence of one witness
-- 'hether witness was corroborated b( own former statement -- %editious "ct 19! s )#1$ -- *&idence "ct
19+, ss -." / 1+-
%-e appellant was .-arge/ w0t- two o11en.es2 %-e 10rst .-arge was un/er s +A314 o1 t-e P()&*)&+ P(',,',
an/ P%-.)/0*)1&, A/* 1,+5 1or mal0.0ously pu6l0s-0ng 1alse news 0n t-e 1orm o1 a pamp-let ent0tle/ 7Mangsa
80pen9ara:an7 . %-e se.on/ .-arge was un/er s 5314364 o1 t-e $e/0t0on A.t 1,5+ 1or ma:0ng a spee.- w-0.-
.onta0ne/ se/0t0ous wor/s2 !ot- .-arges were w0t- regar/ to t-e non&prose.ut0on o1 an allege/ rape .ase
0nol0ng %an $r0 Ra-0m %-am6y "-0: w0t- an un/er&age/ g0rl2 %-e ;0g- "ourt 1oun/ t-e appellant gu0lty o1
6ot- .-arges< .on0.te/ an/ 10ne/ -0m 3see '1,,+( = MLJ 1542 %-e appellant appeale/ to t-e "ourt o1 Appeal
aga0nst -0s .on0.t0ons an/ senten.es w-0le t-e Pu6l0. Prose.utor appeale/ aga0nst t-e senten.es2 %-e
"ourt o1 Appeal /0sm0sse/ t-e appellant7s appeals aga0nst .on0.t0ons an/ senten.es 6ut allowe/ t-e Pu6l0.
Prose.utor7s .ross&appeals an/ senten.e/ t-e appellant to 0mpr0sonment 3see '1,,+( = MLJ 1542 %-e
appellant appeale/2 "ounsel su6m0tte/< 0nter al0a< t-at s >314 o1 t-e $e/0t0ous A.t 1,5+ /oes not perm0t
.on0.t0on o1 an o11en.e un/er s 5 on t-e un.orro6orate/ test0mony o1 one w0tness2 %-ere1ore< a..or/0ng to
-0m< t-e tr0al 9u/ge was wrong 0n .on0.t0ng t-e appellant on t-e se.on/ .-arge on t-e 6as0s o1 t-e
un.orro6orate/ e0/en.e o1 ?pl $tanley L0ew2 %-e prose.ut0on argue/ -oweer t-at< 6y 0rtue o1 s 1)* o1
t-e E0/en.e A.t 1,)0< t-e e0/en.e o1 ?pl $tanley L0ew was .orro6orate/ 6y -0s own 1ormer statement2
H'.2< /0sm0ss0ng t-e appeal@
1) %-e wor/s 7mangsa /0pen9ara:an7 as .onta0ne/ 0n t-e pamp-let was 1alse 6e.ause t-e wor/
7/etent0on7 0s not synonymous w0t- 70mpr0sonment72It 0s .lear 1rom t-e /e10n0t0on 1oun/ 0n ar0ous
/0.t0onar0es t-at t-e wor/ 7pr0son7 relates to a person sent to pr0son a1ter t-e .ourt o1 law -as
.on0.te/ -0m an/ senten.e/ -0m to a term o1 0mpr0sonment2 %-ere1ore< w-en t-e un/er&age/
g0rl was /eta0ne/ 0n !u:0t Aman an/ later at %aman $er0 Puter0< s-e was not 0mpr0sone/ 3see p
)+>!&G42
1 0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +-
1) A-ere a person 0s .-arge/ w0t- an o11en.e un/er s +A314< t-ere 0s a presumpt0on t-at t-e
a..use/ mal0.0ously pu6l0s-e/ t-e 1alse news2 %o re6ut t-e presumpt0on< t-e a..use/ nee/
only s-ow t-at pr0or to pu6l0.at0on -e -as ta:en reasona6le measures to er01y t-e trut- o1 t-e
news2 %-e or/0nary man on t-e street test /oes not apply 0n a prose.ut0on un/er s +A314B t-us
t-e "ourt o1 Appeal -a/ erre/ 0n apply0ng t-e test2 ;oweer< t-e wor/s pu6l0s-e/ 6y t-e
appellant were 1oun/ to 6e 1alse an/ t-ere was no e0/en.e to s-ow t-at t-e appellant too:
Page =
reasona6le measures to er01y t-e trut- o1 t-e wor/s .ompla0ne/ o12%-ere1ore< t-e appellant
was a.tuate/ 6y a.tual mal0.e 0n pu6l0s-0ng t-e wor/s 7Mangsa 80pen9ara:an7 3see pp )+*8&E<
I&)++842
1) %-e .ourt 0s not pre.lu/e/ 1rom loo:0ng at t-e Re.or/ o1 Parl0amentary 8e6ates o1 t-e ;ouse o1
Representat0es 1or t-e purpose o1 as.erta0n0ng w-et-er t-e appellant -a/ ta:en reasona6le
measures 0n Parl0ament to er01y t-e trut- o1 t-e wor/s .ompla0ne/ o12 A1tereCam0n0ng t-e
same< 0t was 1oun/ t-at t-ere was no e0/en.e o1 su.- measures ta:en 6y t-e appellant 3see p
),1"&8< G42
1) 8esp0te t-e tr0al 9u/ge7s 10n/0ng o1 1a.t t-at t-e appellant7s spee.- was not se/0t0ous 0n respe.t
o1 t-e 10rst part o1 t-e se.on/ .-arge< -e was nonet-eless ent0tle/ to .ons0/er t-e se.on/ part
w-0.- -e /0/ an/ -0s /e.0s0on on t-e same s-all stan/ 3see p ),2D&;42
1) As to t-e allege/ .ontra/0.t0on o1 e0/en.e o1 t-e prose.ut0on w0tnesses< 0t was -el/ t-at t-e
tr0al 9u/ge s-owe/ 9u/0.0al appre.0at0on o1 all t-e e0/en.e 6e1ore -0m an/ -e -as eery r0g-t to
re9e.t .erta0n e0/en.e w-0.- -e 10n/s to 6e 60ase/ an/ wea: 3see pp ),2;&),=A42
1) #n t-e 0ssue o1 .orro6orat0on< t-e appl0.at0on o1 s 1)* o1 t-e E0/en.e A.t 1,)0 was not
.ontrary to s >314 o1 t-e $e/0t0on A.t 1,5+2 Un/er s 1)*< t-e 1ormer statement ma/e 6y ?pl
$tanley L0ew 0s a/m0ss06le 1or t-e purpose o1 .orro6orat0ng -0s test0mony2 $e.t0on *=A o1 t-e
1,)0 A.t also /oes not a11e.t t-e appl0.at0on o1 s 1)* 0n t-e present .ase as s *=A re1ers to t-e
Euest0on o1 a/m0ss060l0ty o1 a statement ma/e 6y a person 0n .00l pro.ee/0ngs only an/ -as no
appl0.at0on 0n .r0m0nal .ases2 Moreoer< $tanley L0ew7s e0/en.e was 1urt-er .orro6orate/ 6y
t-e e0/en.e o1 two ot-er prose.ut0on w0tnesses w-o are pol0.e o10.ers an/ w-o were also
present w-en t-e appellant ma/e t-e se/0t0ous spee.- 3see pp >0+G&;< >1="&E42
1) #n t-e Euest0on o1 senten.0ng< 0t was -el/ t-at t-e 10ne 0mpose/ 6y t-e tr0al 9u/ge was grossly
0na/eEuate 0n 0ew o1 t-e ser0ousness o1 t-e o11en.e an/ t-e reEu0rement o1 /eterren.e2 %-us
a1ter str0:0ng a 6alan.e 6etween t-e 0nterests o1 t-e pu6l0. an/ t-e 0nterests o1 t-e appellant< t-e
"ourt o1 Appeal -a/ r0g-tly appl0e/ t-e /eterren.e pr0n.0ple 0n en-an.0ng t-e senten.e to a term
o1 1+ mont-s 0mpr0sonment an/ a 10ne o1 RM )000 ea.- 1or 6ot- .-arges 3see p ),,!&"< E&G42
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +-9
B030,0 M0.04,)0 ,%550(4
Perayu tela- /0tu/u- /engan /ua :esala-an2 %u/u-an pertama a/ala- /0 6awa- s +A314 A:ta Mes0n "eta:
/an Pener60tan 1,+5 0a0tu /engan 6ern0at 9a-at mener60t:an 6er0ta palsu /alam 6entu: r0sala- /0 6awa- ta9u:
7Mangsa 80pen9ara:an72 %u/u-an :e/ua a/ala- /0 6awa- s 5314364 A:ta ;asutan 1,5+ :erana mem6uat
u.apan yang mengan/ung0 per:ataan&per:ataan yang meng-asut2 ?e/ua&/ua tu/u-an a/ala- 6er-u6ung
/engan :et0a/aan pen/a:waan :e atas %an $r0 Ra-0m %am6y "-0: 6er-u6ung /engan pengataan :es rogol
ga/0s /0 6awa- umur2 Ma-:ama- %0ngg0 men/apat0 perayu 6ersala- /0 atas :e/ua&/ua tu/u-an< /0sa60t:an
/an /0/en/a 3l0-at '1,,+( = MLJ 1542 Perayu merayu :epa/a Ma-:ama- Rayuan ter-a/ap :e/ua&/ua
sa60tan /an -u:uman sementara p0-a: Pen/a:wa Raya mem6uat rayuan 6er-u6ung /engan -u:uman2
Ma-:ama- Rayuan menola: rayuan perayu untu: :e/ua&/ua sa60tan /an -u:uman tetap0 mem6enar:an
rayuan 6alas Pen/a:wa Raya /an men9atu-:an -u:uman pen9ara :e atas perayu 3l0-at '1,,+( = MLJ 1542
Perayu mem6uat rayuan2 Peguam 6er-u9a-< antara la0n< yang s >314 A:ta ;asutan 1,5+ t0/a: mem6ole-:an
sa60tan atas tu/u-an /0 6awa- s 5 6er/asar:an test0mon0 seorang sa:s0 tanpa :eterangan so:ongan2 #le-
0tu< meng0:ut 6el0au< -a:0m yang mem60.ara:an :es terse6ut mela:u:an :es0lapan apa60la perayu /0sa60t:an
atas tu/u-an :e/ua 6erasas:an :eterangan ?pl $tanley L0ew2 !aga0manapun< p0-a: pen/a:wa 6er-u9a-
yang :eterangan ?pl $tanley L0ew /0so:ong ole- pernyataan 6el0au yang ter/a-ulu< 6erasas:an :epa/a s
1)* A:ta ?eterangan 1,)02
D)6%*%,70&< menola: rayuan terse6ut@
2) Per:atan&per:ataan 7mangsa /0pen9ara:an7 se6aga0 mana ter:an/ung /0 /alam r0sala- terse6ut
a/ala- palsu :erana per:ataan 7ta-anan7 a/ala- t0/a: sama /engan 7/0pen9ara:an72 A/ala-
9elas /ar0pa/a 6e6erapa :amus yang per:ataan 7pen9ara7 6er:a0t /engan seseorang /0-antar :e
pen9ara selepas ma-:ama- un/ang&un/ang tela- mem6uat sa60tan /an men9atu-:an
Page 5
-u:uman pen9ara :e atasnya2 #le- 0tu< apa60la 6u/a: perempuan 6awa- umur terse6ut /0ta-an
/0 !u:0t Aman /an :emu/0anya /0 %aman $er0 Puter0< /0a t0/a: /0pen9ara:an 3l0-at ms )+>!&G42
2) Apa60la seseorang /0tu/u- /engan satu :esala-an /0 6awa- s +A314< ter/apat satu anggapan
yang tertu/u- tela- mener60t:an 6er0ta palsu /engan n0at 9a-at2 Untu: memata-:an anggapan
terse6ut< tertu/u- -anya perlu menun9u::an yang /0a tela- mengam60l lang:a-&lang:a- yang
munasa6a- untu: menentusa- :e6enaran 6er0ta terse6ut2 U90an orang :e60asaan t0/a: ter/apat
/alam pen/a:waan /0 6awa- s +A314B ole- 0tu< Ma-:ama- Rayuan tela- s0lap /alam
mengguna:an u90an terse6ut2 Aalau 6aga0manapun< per:ataan&per:ataan yang /0guna:an ole-
perayu /0/apat0 palsu /an t0/a: ter/apat :eterangan untu: menun9u::an
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +,
yang perayu tela- mengam60l lang:a-&lang:a- yang manasa6a- untu: menentusa-
:e6enaran per:ataan&per:ataan yang /0pert0:a0:an2 #le- 0tu< perayu /alam mener60t:an
per:ataan&per:ataan 7Mangsa 80pen9ara:an7 se6enarnya a/ala- /0/orong ole- n0at 9a-at 3l0-at
ms )+*8&E< I&)++842
2) Ma-:ama- t0/a: /0se:at /ar0pa/a mel0-at Re:o/ Per6a-asan Parl0men 8ewan Perwa:0lan 6ag0
tu9uan memast0:an sama a/a perayu tela- mengam60l lang:a-&lang:a- yang manasa6a- /0
Parl0men untu: menentusa- :e6enaran per:ataan&per:ataan yang /0pert0:a0:an2 $elepas
memer0:sa re:o/ terse6ut< /0/apat0 t0/a: ter/apat :eterangan yang perayu tela- 6er6uat
/em0:0an 3l0-at ms ),1"&8< G42
2) Aalaupun -a:0m yang mem60.ara:an :es men/apat0 se6aga0 1a:ta 6a-awa u.apan perayu
a/ala- t0/a: meng-asut 6er-u6ung /engan 6a-ag0an pertama tu/u-an :e/ua< 6el0au mas0-
6er-a: untu: mempert0m6ang:an 6a-ag0an :e/ua yang mana 6el0au tela- la:u:an /an
:eputusan 6el0au 6er-u6ung per:ara 0n0 a/ala- terpa:a0 3l0-at ms ),2D&;42
2) !er-u6ung /engan penyataan ter/apat per.angga-an mel06at:an :eterangan sa:s0&sa:s0
pen/a:wa< a/ala- /0putus:an 6a-awa -a:0m per60.araan tela- menun9u::an pen0la0an
:e-a:0man yang mel0put0 semua :eterangan /an 6el0au 6er-a: untu: menola: :eterangan&
:eterangan tertentu yang 6el0au /apat0 6erat se6ela- atau lema- 3l0-at ms ),2;&),=A42
2) !er-u6ungan /engan 0su so:ongan :eterangan< pema:a0an s 1)* A:ta ?eterangan 1,)0
a/ala- t0/a: 6er.angga- /engan s >314 A:ta ;asutan 1,5+2 Untu: tu9uan s 1)*< penyataan
ter/a-ulu yang /06uat ?pl $tanley L0ew 6ole- /0ter0ma untu: tu9uan menyo:ong terst0mon0
6el0au2 $e:syen *=A A:ta ta-un 1,)0 0tu 9uga t0/a: mengu6a- pema:a0an s 1)* untu: :es 0n0
:erana s *=A meru9u: :epa/a persoalan 6ole- ter0ma pernyataan yang /06uat ole- seseorang
/alam pros0/0ng s00l /an t0/a: terpa:a0 /alam :es&:es 9enaya-2 %am6a-an pula< :eterangan
$tanley L0ew tela- 9uga /0so:ong ole- :eterangan ole- /ua orang sa:s0 pen/a:wa yang
merupa:an pegawa0&pegawa0 pol0s yang 9uga -a/0r apa60la perayu mem6uat u.apan yang
meng-asut terse6ut3l0-at ms ),=D&;< ),>"&E42
2) Untu: persoalan -u:uman< /0putus:an yang /en/a yang /0:ena:an ole- -a:0m per60.araan
a/ala- terlalu t0/a: mema/a0 mengam60l :0ra :eser0usan :esala-an /an :eperluan /eteren2
#le- 0tu< selepas mengam60l :0ra :epent0ngan awam /an :epent0ngan perayu< Ma-:ama-
Rayuan tela- mengguna:an pr0ns0p /eteren se.ara 6etul /engan menam6a- -u:uman :epa/a
pen9ara selama 1+ 6ulan untu: set0ap tu/u-an 3l0-at ms ),,!&"< E&G42(
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +1
N1*',
Dor .ases on $e/0t0on A.t 1,5+ generally< see 5 Mallal's Digest 35t- E/< 1,,> Re0ssue4 paras 202,&20=>2

C0,', ('8'(('2 *1
"2i2 bin Muhamad Din & PP '1,,>( ) MLJ 5*= 3re1/4
3radlaugh & 4ossett 31++54 12 F!8 2*1 3re1/4
Church of %cientolog( of California & 1ohnson-%mith '1,*2( 1 All ER =*+ 3re1/4
Page )
5nspector-4eneral of Police / "nor & Lee 6im 7oong '1,*,( 2 MLJ 2,1 3re1/4
6arpal %ingh & %ultan of %elangor '1,++( 1 MLJ >5 3re1/4
6arthi(a(ani / "nor & Lee Leong %in / "nor '1,*)( 1 MLJ 11, 3re1/4
Liew 'ah Ming & PP '1,>=( 2 MLJ +2 3re1/4
Lim 4uan *ng & PP '1,,+( = MLJ 15 3re1/4
Lim 8ow Choon & PP '1,*2( 1 MLJ 20) 3re1/4
Mar9 6oding & PP '1,+2( 2 MLJ 120 3re1/4
Mohamed "li & PP '1,>2( 2 MLJ 2=0 3re1/4
Mohamed "lias & PP '1,+=( 2 MLJ 1*2 3re1/4
Pie 3 *n Chin : Mohamed bin Chin & PP '1,+=( 1 "LJ =1> 3re1/4
PP & Datu9 7a;i 7arun bin 7a;i 5dris '1,**( 1 MLJ 1) 3re1/4
PP & Mar9 6oding '1,+=( 1 MLJ 111 3re1/4
PP & Pung Chen Choon '1,,5( 1 MLJ )>> 3re1/4
PP & %amsul 6amar bin Mohd <ain '1,++( 2 MLJ 2)2 3re1/4
= & 6oh %oon Poh '1,=)( MLJ 120 3re1/4
= & >ela(uthan '1,=)( MLJ 2** 3re1/4
%eena Pa99eer Mohamed / ?rs & Pana 6ader Merah '1+,>( $$LR +5 3re1/4
%toc9dale & 7ansard '1+=,( , A/ G EI 1 3re1/4
Times Publishing 3hd / ?rs & % %i&adas '1,++( = MLJ 1 3re1/4
T@ @athan & PP '1,*+( 1 MLJ 1=5 3re1/4
L'+),.0*)1& ('8'(('2 *1
!0ll o1 R0g-ts 1>++2 art ,
"onst0tut0onal 3Amen/ment4 A.t 1,*1 s 354
Emergen.y 3Pu6l0. #r/er an/ Preent0on o1 "r0mes4 #r/0nan.e 1,>,
E0/en.e A.t 1,)0 ss *=A3*4< 1)*
De/eral "onst0tut0on arts >=< 1)0314
Penal "o/e s =*>
P()&*)&+ P(',,', an/ P%-.)/0*)1&, A/* 1,+5 ss 2< +A314< +A324
$e/0t0on A.t 1,5+ ss 2< =< 5314364< >314
Aomen an/ G0rls Prote.t0on A.t 1,*= s +3543a4
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +0
A66'0. 8(15
"ourt o1 Appeal 3"r0m0nal 800s0on4 Nos M&0)&=1 o1 1,,*< M&0)&=2 o1 1,,*< M&0)&== o1 1,,* an/ M&0)&0) o1
1,,* 3"ourt o1 Appeal< ?uala Lumpur4
6arpal %ingh 3 1 "mardas, 1agdeep %ingh Deo and 4obind %ingh Deo w0t- -0m4 3 6arpal %ingh / Co4 1or t-e
appellant2
Page >
"2ahar Mohammed3 8usof <ainal "bidin and LC Ta( w0t- -0m4 38eputy Pu6l0. Prose.utors< Attorney
General7s "-am6ers4 1or t-e respon/ent2
ZAKARIA YATIM FCJ
3/el0er0ng 9u/gment o1 t-e .ourt4@ %-e appellant was .-arge/ w0t- two o11en.es2 %-e 10rst .-arge was un/er
s +A314 o1 t-e P()&*)&+ P(',,', an/ P%-.)/0*)1&, A/* 1,+5 an/ t-e se.on/ .-arge was un/er s 5314364 o1
t-e $e/0t0on A.t 1,5+2
;e was tr0e/ 6e1ore Mo-/ Noor A6/ulla- J< 0n t-e ;0g- "ourt< Mela:a2 At t-e en/ o1 t-e tr0al< t-e learne/
9u/ge 1oun/ -0m gu0lty o1 6ot- .-arges< .on0.te/ -0m an/ 10ne/ -0m RM10<000 0n /e1ault s0C mont-s
0mpr0sonment on t-e 10rst .-arge an/ RM)<000 0n /e1ault t-ree mont-s 0mpr0sonment on t-e se.on/ .-arge2
%-e appellant appeale/ aga0nst -0s .on0.t0ons an/ senten.es2 %-e pu6l0. prose.utor appeale/ aga0nst
senten.es2 %-ere were 1our appeals 6e1ore t-e "ourt o1 Appeal2
#n 1 Apr0l 1,,+< t-e "ourt o1 Appeal /0sm0sse/ t-e appellant7s appeals aga0nst .on0.t0ons an/ senten.es2 It
allowe/ t-e pu6l0. prose.utor7s .ross appeals an/ senten.e/ t-e appellant to e0g-teen mont-s 0mpr0sonment
on ea.- .-arge2
%-e appellant appeale/ to t-0s .ourt aga0nst t-e /e.0s0on o1 t-e "ourt o1 Appeal2
Ae -ear/ t-e appeals an/ on 2) August 1,,+2 Ae /0sm0sse/ all t-e 1our appeals an/ .on10rme/ t-e
.on0.t0ons an/ senten.es passe/ 6y t-e "ourt o1 Appeal2 Ae or/ere/ t-e senten.es to ta:e e11e.t 1rom 2)
August 1,,+2 #n t-at /ate we 0n/0.ate/ t-at we woul/ g0e our wr0tten 9u/gment at a later /ate2 %-0s 0s my
wr0tten 9u/gment2
%-e 10rst .-arge aga0nst t-e appellant was t-at 0n January 1,,) 0n t-e /0str0.t o1 Mela:a %enga-< Mela:a< -e
mal0.0ously pu6l0s-e/ 1alse news namely< 7MANG$A 8IPENJARA?AN7 an/ t-ere6y .omm0tte/ an o11en.e
un/er s +A314 o1 t-e P()&*)&+ P(',,', an/ P%-.)/0*)1&, A/* 1,+5 an/ pun0s-a6le un/er t-e same
se.t0on2
%-e se.on/ .-arge was t-at on 1, January 1,,) at a6out ,250pm at 8ewan Perma0 $ar0 0n ;otel Emperor<
Jalan Muns-0 A6/ulla-< Mela:a< t-e appellant ma/e a spee.- w-0.- .onta0ne/ se/0t0ous wor/s< namely@
1a) -e was /0ssat0s10e/ w0t- t-e laws o1 Malays0a 0n t-at 0t -a/ a /ou6le stan/ar/ w-ere6y a rape
.ase 0nol0ng %an $r0 Ra-0m %-am6y "-0: was not 6roug-t to .ourt an/ t-e Attorney General
sa0/ t-at %an $r0 Ra-0m %-am6y "-0: was not 0nole/ 0n a rape .ase w0t- an un/erage/ g0rlB
1b) -e was /0ssat0s10e/ w0t- t-e /e.0s0on o1 t-e .ourt to /eta0n t-e g0rl 0nole/ 1or a per0o/ o1 t-ree
years2 %an $r0 Ra-0m %-am6y "-0: s-oul/ 6e sent to pr0son 6ut 0nstea/ t-e person w-o
.ontraene/ t-e law was allowe/ to go 1ree2
%-e two .-arges aga0nst t-e appellant were 0n !a-asa Malays0a an/ we t-0n: 0t 0s appropr0ate to set out t-e
two .-arges -ere@
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +.
PER%U8U;AN
!a-awa :amu pa/a 6ulan Januar0 1,,) /0 /alam 8aera- Mela:a %enga-< /alam Neger0 Mela:a< /alam satu pener60tan
r0sala- yang 6erta9u: "ERAMA; 7?I$A; !ENAR7 /engan n0at 9a-at tela- mener60t:an 6er0ta yang t0/a: 6enar 0a0tu@
7MANG$A 8IPENJARA?AN7
#le- yang /em0:0an< :amu tela- mela:u:an satu :esala-an /0 6awa- s +A314 A:ta Mes0n "eta: /an Pener60tan 1,+5
3A:ta =014 /an 6ole- /0-u:um /0 6awa- s +A314 A:ta yang sama2
PER%U8U;AN
!a-awa :amu pa/a 1, Januar0 1,,) 9am le60- :urang ,250 malam< /0 8ewan Perma0 $ar0< %0ng:at %0ga< /0 ;otel
Emperor< Jalan Muns-0 A6/ulla-< /0 /alam 8aera- Mela:a %enga-< /alam Neger0 Mela:a< tela- mem6er0:an u.apan
/alam .erama- /engan menye6ut :ata&:ata yang meng-asut 0a0tu@
Page *
3a4 !a-awa :amu menyata:an yang :amu t0/a: puas -at0 /engan un/ang&un/ang /0 Malays0a :erana
7/ou6le&stan/ar/7 yang menye6a6:an :es rogol yang mel06at:an %an $r0 Ra-0m %-am6y "-0: t0/a:
/0-a/ap:an :e Ma-:ama- /an Peguam Negara tela- menyata:an tan $r0 Ra-0m %-am6y "-0: t0/a:
terl06at /alam :es rogol perempuan 6awa- umur2
364 !a-awa :amu menyata:an yang :amu t0/a: puas -at0 Ma-:ama- mem6er0:an :eputusan supaya
ga/0s yang terl06at /alam :es rogol 0tu /0ta-an selama t0ga ta-un2 $e6enarnya %an $r0 Ra-0m %-am6y
"-0: patut /0masu::an :e pen9ara /an se6al0:nya orang yang melanggar un/ang&un/ang /06e6as:an2
Hang mempunya0 :e.en/erungan 6ag0 men/atang:an 6en.0 atau peng-0naan atau 6ag0
mem6ang:0t:an perasaan t0/a: su:a ter-a/ap penta/60ran :ea/0lan /alam Malays0a /an ole- yang
/em0:0an< :amu tela- mela:u:an satu :esala-an /0 6awa- s 5314364 A:ta ;asutan 1,5+ 3A:ta 1)4 /an
6ole- /0-u:um /0 6awa- s 5314 A:ta yang sama2
%-e e0/en.e a//u.e/ at t-e tr0al 0s .learly set out 0n t-e groun/s o1 9u/gment o1 t-e tr0al 9u/ge2 !r0e1ly< t-e
1a.ts are t-at t-e me/0a< 0n part0.ular t-e Atusan Mala(sia pu6l0s-e/ t-e news alleg0ng t-at %an $r0 Ra-0m
%-am6y "-0:< t-e t-en "-0e1 M0n0ster o1 Mela:a -a/ a seCual relat0ons-0p w0t- an un/erage/ s.-ool g0rl2 #n
t-e 6as0s o1 t-e me/0a 0n1ormat0on< A"P Mo: $0ew ;ong< w-o was t-e -ea/ o1 t-e "r0m0nal Inest0gat0on
800s0on< Mela:a< lo/ge/ a pol0.e report at t-e Mela:a %enga- Pol0.e $tat0on on 2, August 1,,5< regar/0ng
t-e allege/ seCual relat0ons-0p o1 %an $r0 Ra-0m %-am6y "-0:2 %-e pol0.e 0nest0gate/ t-e .ase2 %-e
0nest0gat0on papers were sent to t-e Attorney&General7s #110.e2 %-e attorney&general< 0n -0s .apa.0ty as
pu6l0. prose.utor< /e.0/e/ not to prose.ute %an $r0 Ra-0m on t-e groun/ t-at t-ere was 0nsu110.0ent e0/en.e
to prose.ute -0m2 %-e g0rl 0n Euest0on /0/ not lo/ge a pol0.e report aga0nst %an $r0 Ra-0m on t-e allege/
seCual relat0ons-0p2 $-e -oweer lo/ge/ pol0.e reports aga0nst 1ourteen ot-er persons alleg0ng t-at t-ey -a/
seCual relat0ons-0p w0t- -er2 %-e 1ourteen persons were .-arge/ 0n .ourt2 E0g-t plea/e/ gu0lty an/ was
senten.e/ 6y t-e .ourt2 %-e ot-er s0C .la0me/ tr0al2
At t-e 6eg0nn0ng o1 t-e 0nest0gat0on 0nto %an $r0 Ra-0m7s .ase< t-e g0rl 0n Euest0on was :ept 0n pol0.e .usto/y
at !u:0t Aman w0t- t-e wr0tten
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +!
.onsent o1 -er 1at-er2 #n =0 Noem6er 1,,5< t-e mag0strate 0n ?uala Lumpur or/ere/ t-at t-e g0rl 6e
/eta0ne/ at %aman $er0 Puter0< Rem6au< Neger0 $em60lan un/er s +3543a4 o1 t-e Aomen an/ G0rls Prote.t0on
A.t 1,*= 1or a per0o/ o1 t-ree years2 %-e g0rl7s gran/mot-er was not -appy w0t- t-e sa0/ or/er an/ 10le/ an
appl0.at0on 1or a wr0t o1 -a6eas .orpus 0n t-e ;0g- "ourt< ?uala Lumpur2 %-e ;0g- "ourt /0sm0sse/ t-e
appl0.at0on2
In #.to6er 1,,5< t-e appellant ra0se/ t-e 0ssue o1 t-e allege/ seCual relat0ons-0p 6etween %an $r0 Ra-0m
%-am6y "-0: an/ t-e sa0/ un/erage/ g0rl 0n Parl0ament2 #n 1, January 1,,)< t-e appellant -el/ a ceramah
3a pu6l0. tal:4 at t-e Emperor ;otel< Mela:a2 ;e also /0str06ute/ pamp-lets 0n0t0ng people to atten/ t-e
ceramah2 %-e -ea/0ng o1 t-e pamp-lets rea/s@
"erama- 7?0sa- !enar7
222 %an $r0 A6/ul Ra-0m %-am6y "-0: $eC $.an/al
222 A0t-er Just0.e an/ Aomen7s R0g-ts<
V0.t0m 0mpr0sone/<
"r0m0nal Dree
At t-e ceramah t-e appellant spo:e 1or a6out 5) m0nutes 6e1ore an au/0en.e o1 a6out =00 people< mostly
Malays2 In -0s spee.-< t-e appellant tol/ t-e gat-er0ng t-at t-e laws o1 t-0s .ountry -a/ a /ou6le&stan/ar/2
;e sa0/ t-at t-e attorney&general /e.0/e/ not to prose.ute %an $r0 Ra-0m2 !ut t-e .ourt /eta0ne/ t-e
0nno.ent g0rl 1or a per0o/ o1 t-ree years2 ;e a//e/ t-at %an $r0 Ra-0m s-oul/ -ae 6een 0mpr0sone/ 1or
0olat0ng t-e law2
$u6seEuently a pol0.e report was lo/ge/2 At t-e .on.lus0on o1 t-e pol0.e 0nest0gat0ons< t-e appellant was
.-arge/ 0n .ourt w0t- t-e two o11en.es as state/ a6oe2
At t-e -ear0ng o1 t-e appeals 6e1ore t-0s .ourt< Mr ?arpal $0ng-< .ounsel 1or t-e appellant ra0se/ a num6er o1
0ssues2 %-e 10rst 0ssue was on t-e Euest0on o1 9ur0s/0.t0on2 Mr ?arpal $0ng- argue/ t-at t-e res0/ent 9u/ge 0n
Page +
Mela:a s-oul/ -ae pres0/e/ at t-e tr0al o1 -0s .l0ent an/ not a 9u/ge 1rom $erem6an2 ;e a//e/ t-at t-e
learne/ 9u/ge 1rom $erem6an .oul/ only -ear t-e .ase 0n Mela:a on t-e 0nstru.t0on o1 t-e "-0e1 Ju/ge o1
Malaya2 %-e ;onoura6le "-0e1 Just0.e o1 t-e De/eral "ourt< eCpla0ne/ t-at 0n t-0s part0.ular .ase t-e
Pres0/ent o1 t-e "ourt o1 Appeal< w-o was t-e A.t0ng "-0e1 Ju/ge o1 Malaya at t-e mater0al t0me< gae t-e
/0re.t0on to t-e 9u/ge 0n $erem6an< Mo-/ Noor A6/ulla- J to -ear t-e .ase 0n Mela:a2 A1ter t-e eCplanat0on<
Mr ?arpal $0ng- /0/ not pursue t-e po0nt2
;e t-en pro.ee/e/ to groun/ t-ree o1 t-e pet0t0on< w-0.- states t-at t-e learne/ tr0al 9u/ge< a1ter 7/el0er0ng a
/era1 :eputusan '/ra1t 9u/gment(222 was pre.lu/e/ su6seEuently 1rom -an/0ng /own wr0tten 9u/gment /ate/
2+ De6ruary 1,,* 'w-0.- must -ae 6een wr0tten on some /ate a1ter 2+ Apr0l 1,,*(22272 %-e 7/era1 :eputusan7
o1 t-e tr0al 9u/ge was ma/e on 2+ Apr0l 1,,*2 It was -0s /ra1t /e.0s0on on t-e .ase 1or t-e /e1en.e2;e 1oun/
t-e appellant gu0lty an/ .on0.te/ -0m on 6ot- .-arges2 A1ter -ear0ng t-e plea 0n m0t0gat0on< -e senten.e/ t-e
appellant2 It 0s to 6e note/ t-at on 20 Noem6er 1,,> t-e tr0al 9u/ge rea/ -0s groun/s o1 /e.0s0on w-en -e
.alle/ on t-e appellant to enter -0s /e1en.e on t-e two .-arges2 In our 0ew< t-e 7/era1 :eputusan7 0s not a
9u/gment o1 t-e .ase2 %-ere was only one
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at ++
9u/gment 6e1ore t-e "ourt o1 Appeal an/ t-at 0s t-e groun/s o1 9u/gment w-0.- was wr0tten separately2
#n t-e last page o1 t-e 9u/gment< t-e /ate o1 /e.0s0on 3tar0:- :eputusan4 was 2+ De6ruary 1,,*2 Mr ?arpal
$0ng- Euest0one/ t-e al0/0ty o1 t-at 9u/gment2 ;e a..epte/ -oweer t-at 0t was typ0ng error2 ;e sa0/ t-at t-e
9u/gment must -ae 6een wr0tten a1ter 2+ Apr0l 1,,*2 ;e su6m0tte/ t-at t-e /ate .oul/ not 6e as.erta0ne/
an/ t-ere was no way o1 as.erta0n0ng t-e /ate2 ;e argue/ t-at t-e 9u/gment was a null0ty an/ as:e/ t-0s
.ourt to or/er a retr0al2
%-e "ourt o1 Appeal r0g-tly /e.0/e/ t-at t-e 9u/gment was erroneously /ate/ 2+ De6ruary 1,,* an/
pro.ee/e/ to amen/ t-e /ate to 2+ Apr0l2 %-e .ourt sa0/ t-at t-e 9u/gment must -ae 6een wr0tten on some
/ate a1ter 2+ Apr0l 1,,*2 It .on.lu/e/ t-at t-e /ate was a typograp-0.al error t-at o..as0one/ no m0s.arr0age
o1 9ust0.e2 %-e .ourt went on to state 3per Gopal $r0 Ram J"A 0n Lim 4uan *ng & PP '1,,+( = MLJ 15 3"A4
at p =,@
Ae are t-ere1ore o1 t-e 0ew t-at no pre9u/0.e w-atsoeer -as 6een 0s0te/ upon t-e appellant 6y reason o1 t-e matters
.ompla0ne/ o1 6y -0m 0n t-0s regar/ an/ t-at t-e .on0.t0ons entere/ aga0nst -0m -ae 0n no way 6een 0t0ate/ 6y t-e
error 0n t-e /ate appear0ng on t-e wr0tten 9u/gment2
Ae t-0n: t-e "ourt o1 Appeal was r0g-t 0n arr00ng at t-e a6oe .on.lus0on an/ we nee/ not ela6orate any
1urt-er2
Ae now turn to t-e su6stant0e 0ssues2
As state/ earl0er< t-e 10rst .-arge aga0nst t-e appellant was 0n respe.t o1 an o11en.e un/er s +A314 o1 t-e
P()&*)&+ P(',,', an/ P%-.)/0*)1&, A/* 1,+52 $e.t0on +A314 an/ 324 states@
314 A-ere 0n any pu6l0.at0on t-ere 0s mal0.0ously pu6l0s-e/ any 1alse news< t-e pr0nter< pu6l0s-er< e/0tor
an/ t-e wr0ter t-ereo1 s-all 6e gu0lty o1 o11en.e an/ s-all< on .on0.t0on< 6e l0a6le to 0mpr0sonment 1or a
term not eC.ee/0ng t-ree years or to a 10ne not eC.ee/0ng twenty t-ousan/ r0ngg0t or to 6ot-2
324 Dor t-e purposes o1 t-0s se.t0on< mal0.e s-all 6e presume/ 0n /e1ault o1 e0/en.e s-ow0ng t-at<
pr0or to pu6l0.at0on< t-e a..use/ too: reasona6le measures to er01y t-e trut- o1 t-e news2
%-e 1alse news allege/ to -ae 6een pu6l0s-e/ 6y t-e appellant was 7MANG$A 8IPENJARA?AN72 %-e wor/
7mangsa7 re1ers to t-e un/erage/ g0rl2 In -0s groun/s o1 9u/gment< t-e tr0al 9u/ge ma/e t-e 1ollow0ng 10n/0ng at
p 15= o1 Vol II o1 t-e Appeal Re.or/2
Menurut A"P Mo: $0ew ;oong 3$P124 yang meny0asat :es s:en/al seC %an $r0 Ra-0m< 6er0ta mangsa /0pen9ara:an
/alam r0sala- 0tu a/ala- t0/a: 6enar< ga/0s 6awa- umur 0tu t0/a: /0pen9ara:an /alam ert0:ata ga/0s 0tu /0/a:wa /0
ma-:ama-< /0sa60t:an :esala-an /an /0-u:um pen9ara2 Ga/0s 0tu /0ta-an /alam s0asatan /an /0leta: 6awa- 9agaan
pol0s /0 !ala0 Pol0s Jalan %raers /an :emu/0an /0 !u:0t Aman2 ?eluarga melawatnya< 6apa mem6er0 :e0I0nan
mena-annya2 $elepas 0tu ma90stret memer0nta-:an ga/0s 0tu /0ta-an selama t0ga ta-un /0 Pusat Perl0n/ungan Ga/0s
/an Aan0ta /0 %aman $er0 Puter0< Rem6au< Neger0 $em60lan2 Nene: ga/0s 0tu t0/a: 6ersetu9u /an
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +)
Page ,
mengemu:a:an permo-onan -a6eas .orpus untu: mem6atal:an per0nta- ma90stret 0tu tetap0 ;a:0m Ma-:ama- %0ngg0
?uala Lumpur menola: permo-onan nene: 0tu2 Ma9a ;elaslah gadis itu tida9 dipen;ara9anB 3erita mangsa dipen;ara9an
adalah berita tida9 benarB 'Emp-as0s a//e/2(
;e also 1oun/ t-at t-e appellant mal0.0ously pu6l0s-e/ t-e wor/s 0n Euest0on 30606< p 15542
%-e "ourt o1 Appeal agree/ w0t- t-e 10n/0ng o1 t-e tr0al 9u/ge2
Mr ?arpal $0ng- su6m0tte/ t-at t-ere was no /en0al t-at t-e un/erage/ g0rl was /eta0ne/ at !u:0t Aman an/
su6seEuently at %aman $er0 Puter02 ;e argue/ t-at t-e wor/ 7/etent0on7 0s synonymous w0t- 70mpr0sonment72
In support o1 -0s argument -e re1erre/ to t-e 1ollow0ng /0.t0onar0es2 The Law LeCicon with Legal MaCims
e/0te/ 6y P Ramanat-a A0yar< 1,,2 at p ))+B %troud's 1udicial Dictionar(< 3)t- E/4 Vol = at p 1222B Law
Terms / Phrases 1udiciall( 5nterpreted< pu6l0s-e/ 0n La-ore at p 5)5B 6amus 3ahasa Mela(u Atusan at p
1500B 'ords / Phrases && Permanent E/ Vol 20 at p 5>*B an/ The Concise ?Cford Dictionar( 3,t- E/< 1,,)4
at p >+=2 Ae -ae rea/ t-e /e10n0t0ons o1 t-e wor/s 70mpr0sonment7 an/ 7Pen9ara7 0n t-ose /0.t0onar0es an/ we
10n/ t-e /e10n0t0ons are too general an/ ague2 %-ese /e10n0t0ons are not -elp1ul at all2
%-e %horter ?Cford *nglish Dictionar(< -oweer< g0es a .learer /e10n0t0on2 A..or/0ng to t-e 80.t0onary<
7pr0son7 means 7to put 0n pr0son< ma:e a pr0soner o1< to :eep 0n a pla.e o1 .on10nement< to /eta0n 0n .usto/y27
%-e wor/ 7pr0soner7 0s /e10ne/ as 7#ne w-o 0s :ept 0n pr0son or .usto/y 222 one w-o 0s 0n .usto/y as a result o1
a legal pro.ess27 The Daftar 5stilah Andang-Andang #3ahasa 5nggeris -- 3ahasa Mala(sia$ 31,,04 states t-at
pr0son7 0s 7pen9ara72 It 0s .lear t-ere1ore t-at a person 0s sent to pr0son a1ter t-e .ourt o1 law -as .on0.te/ -0m
an/ senten.e/ -0m to a term o1 0mpr0sonment2
Drom t-e e0/en.e< t-e un/erage/ g0rl was :ept 0n prote.t0e .usto/y 0n !u:0t Aman w0t- t-e wr0tten .onsent
o1 -er 1at-er2 #n =0 Noem6er 1,,5< t-e mag0strate 0n ?uala Lumpur or/ere/ t-e g0rl to 6e /eta0ne/ at
%aman $er0 Puter0 un/er s +3543a4 o1 t-e Aomen G G0rls Prote.t0on A.t2 Un/er t-e se.t0on a mag0strate may
or/er a 1emale person to 6e /eta0ne/ 0n a pla.e o1 re1uge 1or a per0o/ o1 t-ree years 01 -e 0s sat0s10e/ t-at t-e
1emale person 0s 0n nee/ o1 prote.t0on2 %-ere1ore w-en t-e g0rl was /eta0ne/ 0n !u:0t Aman an/ later at
%aman $er0 Puter0 s-e was not 0mpr0sone/2
%-e tr0al 9u/ge .on.lu/e/ t-at t-e wor/s 7mangsa /0pen9ara:an7 as .onta0ne/ 0n t-e pamp-let was 1alse2 %-e
"ourt o1 Appeal agree/ w0t- -0s .on.lus0on2 Ae< too< agree w0t- -0s .on.lus0on 0n t-e .0r.umstan.es o1 t-0s
.ase2
%-e "ourt o1 Appeal sa0/ t-at t-e test to 6e appl0e/ 0n a .ase un/er s +A314 o1 t-e PPPA 0s t-at o1 t-e
or/0nary man on t-e street2 In 0ts 9u/gment< t-e .ourt sa0/ at p 52@
It must not 6e 1orgotten t-at t-e o11en/0ng pamp-let was /0re.te/ at all an/ sun/ry2 In our 9u/gment< t-e test t-at 0s to
6e appl0e/ 0n a .ase un/er s +A314 0s t-at o1 t-e or/0nary man on t-e street2 ;e 0s not one w-o -a60tually .arr0es
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +-
w0t- -0m lea/0ng /0.t0onar0es o1 t-e Malay or t-e Engl0s- language2 ;e /oes not eCam0ne t-e wor/s a//resse/ to -0m
6y re1err0ng to su.- wor:s2 ;e 0s not a lawyer w-o 0s possesse/ o1 :nowle/ge o1 te.-n0.al terms2 ;e 0s one w-o
a..epts t-em 0n t-e sense 0n w-0.- t-ey are or/0nar0ly use/2 ;e -as no spe.0al0se/ :nowle/ge upon t-e su69e.t to
w-0.- t-e wor/s relate2 ;e -as 0n -0s possess0on only su.- general 0n1ormat0on as 0s aa0la6le to all an/ sun/ry2 %-e
Euest0on t-en to 6e as:e/ 0s@ w-at woul/ t-e wor/s 7Mangsa /0pen9ara:an7 .oney to su.- a man 0n t-e0r or/0nary
senseJ
In our 0ew w-en a person 0s .-arge/ un/er s +A314 o1 t-e A.t< t-e prose.ut0on nee/ only to proe t-e
1ollow0ng@
2a) %-ere must 6e a pu6l0.at0on2 A pu6l0.at0on 0n.lu/es a /o.ument< newspaper< 6oo:< per0o/0.al<
all wr0tten or pr0nte/ matter an/ anyt-0ng w-0.- 6y 0ts 1orm< s-ape or 0n any manner 0s .apa6le
o1 suggest0ng wor/s or 0/eas 3see s 2 o1 t-e A.t42
2b) %-e pu6l0.at0on .onta0ns 1alse news2
1c) %-e a..use/ mal0.0ously pu6l0s-e/ t-e 1alse news2 %-e a..use/ may 6e t-e pr0nter< pu6l0s-er<
e/0tor or t-e wr0ter o1 t-e 1alse news2
Page 10
A-ere t-ere 0s a pu6l0.at0on .onta0n0ng 1alse news< t-ere 0s a presumpt0on t-at t-e a..use/ mal0.0ously
pu6l0s-e/ t-e sa0/ 1alse news2 Un/er su6&s 2< mal0.e s-all 6e presume/ 0n /e1ault o1 e0/en.e s-ow0ng t-at
pr0or to pu6l0.at0on t-e a..use/ too: reasona6le measures to er01y t-e trut- o1 t-e news2
A-at we -ae 9ust state/ 0s .ons0stent w0t- t-e 0ew -el/ 6y t-e $upreme "ourt 0n PP & Pung Chen Choon
'1,,5( 1 MLJ )>>2 In /el0er0ng t-e 9u/gment o1 t-e $upreme "ourt< E/gar Josep- Jr $"J sa0/ at p )**@
It was o60ous t-at pu6l0.at0ons 0nten/e/ to 6e -0t 6y s +A314 o1 t-e A.t were only t-ose w-ere0n were mal0.0ously
pu6l0s-e/ any 1alse news2 In ot-er wor/s< t-e mere pu6l0.at0on o1 1alse news 0n any pu6l0.at0on 0s not an o11en.e un/er
s +A3242 %o 6e so< t-e 1alse news must -ae 6een mal0.0ously pu6l0s-e/2
Ae /0/ not .ons0/er 0t ne.essary 1or purposes o1 t-e present Re1eren.e to /eterm0ne w-at element o1 mens rea 0s
reEu0re/ to 6e proe/ 1or an o11en.e un/er s +A3142 ;oweer< we woul/ remar: t-at a Eu0.: loo: at t-e A.t s-ows t-at
t-e wor/ 7mal0.0ously7 0s now-ere /e10ne/ -ere0n< 6ut we t-0n: 0t woul/ not 6e 0n.orre.t to say t-at t-e wor/ 7mal0.0ously7
0n t-e .onteCt o1 s +A314< 6ears 0ts or/0nary mean0ng 0n a.ts .reat0ng .r0m0nal o11en.es< namely< w0l1ully or 0ntent0onally
an/ w0t-out law1ul eC.use 222
As 1or t-e presumpt0on un/er s +A314 t-at mal0.e s-all 6e presume/ 0n /e1ault o1 e0/en.e s-ow0ng t-at< pr0or to
pu6l0.at0on< an a..use/ -a/ ta:en reasona6le measures to er01y t-e trut- o1 t-e news< t-0s 0s merely a reersal o1 onus
pro0s0on< /es0gne/ to ass0st t-e prose.ut0on 0n esta6l0s-0ng a .ase to answer< 01< 6ut only 01< 0t 0s proe/ t-at t-e news
.on.erne/ 0s 1alse2
Drom t-e passage Euote/ a6oe< 0t appears t-at mens rea nee/ not 6e proe/ separately 6e.ause t-e wor/
7mal0.0ously7 means 7w0l1ully or 0ntent0onally an/ w0t-out law1ul eC.use72
In 0ts 9u/gment 0n PP & Pung Chen Choon< t-e $upreme "ourt ma/e no re1eren.e at all to t-e or/0nary man
on t-e street test2 In our op0n0on<
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +
w-en a person 0s .-arge/ w0t- an o11en.e un/er s +A314< t-e prose.ut0on -a/ to proe t-at t-e a..use/
mal0.0ously pu6l0s-e/ t-e 1alse news2 %o re6ut t-e presumpt0on t-e a..use/ nee/ only to s-ow t-at -e -as
ta:en reasona6le measures to er01y t-e trut- o1 t-e news2 %-e or/0nary man on t-e street test /oes not
apply 0n a prose.ut0on un/er s +A3142 It 0s not one o1 t-e 0ngre/0ents o1 t-e o11en.e un/er t-e se.t0on2
A..or/0ngly we -ol/ t-at t-e "ourt o1 Appeal -a/ erre/ 0n apply0ng t-e test2 %-e "ourt o1 Appeal< -oweer<
agree/ w0t- t-e tr0al 9u/ge t-at t-e wor/s 7mangsa /0pen9ara:an7 were 80.,'.
;a0ng 1oun/ t-at t-e wor/s pu6l0s-e/ 6y t-e appellant were 1alse< t-e tr0al 9u/ge went on to .ons0/er
w-et-er t-e appellant too: reasona6le measures to er01y t-e trut- o1 t-e wor/s pu6l0s-e/2 ;e .on.lu/e/ t-at
t-ere was no e0/en.e t-at t-e appellant too: reasona6le measures to er01y t-e wor/s pu6l0s-e/2 In/ee/ t-e
tr0al 9u/ge 1oun/ t-at t-e appellant :new t-at t-e g0rl was 0n .usto/y at !u:0t Aman2 %-e tr0al 9u/ge went on to
state@
%ertu/u- ta-u ga/0s 0tu t0/a: /0:urung /alam pen9ara :erana ga/0s 0tu 0ala- mangsa seC2 %ertu/u- ta-u ga/0s 0tu
/0ta-an pol0s /0 !u:0t Aman2 %ertu/u- tela- 6eru.ap /0 Parl0men /engan tel0t0 menyata:an 7ga/0s 0tu /0ta-an pol0s7 pa/a
=0 #gos 1,,5< 7ga/0s 0tu /alam :urungan pol0s7 3/0s0ar:an /alam Penyata Rasm0 Parl0men && e:s- P204 /an t0/a:
se:al0pun %ertu/u- 6eru.ap 7ga/0s 0tu /0pen9ara:an72 Per/ana Menter0 /an 8ato7 $ye/ ;am0/ Al6ar men9elas:an ga/0s
0tu /06er0 perl0n/ungan semasa /alam s0asatan2 Ma:a s0aran 6er0ta 7mangsa /0pen9ara:an7 /alam r0sala- P11! .0ptaan
tertu/u- a/ala- /0s0ar:an /engan n0at 9a-at untu: menar0: per-at0an /an mengel0ru:an orang rama02
%-e "ourt o1 Appeal also sa0/ t-at no e0/en.e was le/ 6y t-e appellant to s-ow t-at -e too: reasona6le
measures to er01y t-e trut- o1 t-e wor/s .ompla0ne/ o12 It .on.lu/e/ t-at t-e appellant was a.tuate/ 6y
a.tual mal0.e 0n pu6l0s-0ng t-e wor/s 7Mangsa 80pen9ara:an72
Mr ?arpal $0ng- su6m0tte/ t-at t-e tr0al 9u/ge oug-t not to -ae .ons0/ere/ t-e Re.or/ o1 Parl0amentary
8e6ates o1 t-e ;ouse o1 Representat0es2 ;e sa0/ t-at t-e e0/en.e ta:en 1rom t-e Re.or/ o1 t-e
Parl0amentary 8e6ates was 0na/m0ss06le2 A .opy o1 t-e releant part o1 t-e Parl0amentary Re.or/ was
ten/ere/ 6y t-e prose.ut0on as eC- P202 Mr ?arpal $0ng- .on.e/e/ t-at no o69e.t0on was ta:en 6y t-e
appellant7s .ounsel at t-e tr0al or 0n t-e "ourt o1 Appeal 6ut -e argue/ -oweer t-at 01 t-e e0/en.e was
0na/m0ss06le 0t rema0ne/ 0na/m0ss06le2 In support o1 -0s argument< -e .0te/ 6arpal %ingh & %ultan of %elangor
'1,++( 1 MLJ >5 w-ere A6/ul ;am0/ "J 3Malaya4< as -e t-en was< sa0/ at p >)@
%-e 1a.t t-at t-e $ultan -as not .ontra/0.te/ t-e press reports /o not< 0n my 0ew< ma:e t-e sl0g-test /011eren.e 1or 0t 0s
well esta6l0s-e/ t-at 0na/m0ss06le e0/en.e /oes not 6e.ome a/m0ss06le 6y reason o1 a 1a0lure to o69e.t2
Page 11
Ae are 0n ent0re agreement w0t- t-e a6oe statement o1 t-e learne/ "-0e1 Just0.e o1 Malaya2 %-e Euest0on to
6e .ons0/ere/ -ere 0s w-et-er t-e Parl0amentary Re.or/ 3eC- P20( was wrongly a/m0tte/ at t-e tr0al an/
t-ere1ore 0na/m0ss06le2
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +9
In support o1 -0s argument t-at t-e Parl0amentary Re.or/ 3P204 was 0na/m0ss06le< Mr ?arpal $0ng- .0te/ an
Engl0s- .ase Church of %cientolog( of California & 1ohnson-%mith '1,*2( 1 All ER =*+B an/ a $0ngapore
.ase< Times Publishing 3hd / ?rs & % %i&adas '1,++( = MLJ 12
In 1ohnson-%mith7s .ase< t-e pla0nt011s 6roug-t an a.t0on 1or l06el aga0nst t-e /e1en/ant< a Mem6er o1
Parl0ament2 1or /e1amatory remar:s ma/e 6y t-e /e1en/ant /ur0ng a tele0s0on 0nter0ew2 %-e /e1en/ant
plea/e/ 1a0r .omment an/ pr00lege2 In t-e0r reply t-e pla0nt011s allege/ mal0.e an/ 0n or/er to esta6l0s-
mal0.e< t-e pla0nt011s soug-t to a//u.e e0/en.e< 0n.lu/0ng eCtra.ts 1rom t-e 7ansard< o1 w-at t-e /e1en/ant
-a/ /one an/ sa0/ 0n Parl0ament2 !rowne J< /e.0/e/ t-at w-at was sa0/ or /one 0n Parl0ament 0n t-e .ourse
o1 pro.ee/0ngs t-ere .oul/ not 6e eCam0ne/ outs0/e Parl0ament 1or t-e purpose o1 support0ng a .ause o1
a.t0on een t-oug- t-e .ause o1 a.t0on 0tsel1 arose out o1 somet-0ng /one outs0/e Parl0amentB an/
.onseEuently t-e e0/en.e soug-t to 6e g0en must 6e eC.lu/e/2
In t-at .ase !rowne J< re1erre/ to art , o1 t-e !0ll o1 R0g-ts 31>++4 w-0.- pro0/es at p =*,@ 7%-at t-e 1ree/om
o1 spee.- an/ /e6ates or pro.ee/0ngs 0n Parl0ament oug-t not to 6e 0mpea.-e/ or Euest0one/ 0n any .ourt or
pla.e out o1 Parl0ament72 ;e t-en re1erre/ 3at p =+04 to 3radlaugh & 4ossett 31++54 12 F!8 2*1 an/ Euote/
a passage 1rom t-e 9u/gment $tep-en J2 %-e passage states t-e pr0n.0ples la0/ /own 6y !la.:stone namely<
7%-e w-ole o1 t-e law an/ .ustom o1 Parl0ament -as 0ts or0g0n 1rom t-0s one maC0m 7t-at w-ateer matter
ar0ses .on.ern0ng e0t-er ;ouse o1 Parl0ament oug-t to 6e eCam0ne/< /0s.usse/ an/ a/9u/ge/ 0n t-at
;ouse 222 an/ not elsew-ere2 %-e pr0n.0ple was restate/ 0n %toc9dale & 7ansard '1+=,( , A/ G EI 12
In Times & %i&adas t-e 1a.ts are .learly state/ 0n t-e -ea/ note an/ I Euote 6elow at p 1@
%-e /e1en/ant su6m0tte/ wr0tten representat0ons to t-e .ler: o1 Parl0ament 0n response to a not0.e ma/e 6y t-e .ler:
0n0t0ng representat0ons on t-e "ompan0es 3Amen/ment4 !0ll 1rom t-e pu6l0.< 1or t-e .ons0/erat0on o1 t-e $ele.t
"omm0ttee2 %-e /e1en/ant was not 0n0te/ to g0e oral e0/en.e 6e1ore t-e $ele.t "omm0ttee2 %-e pla0nt011s too: t-e
0ew t-at t-ey -a/ 6een graely /e1ame/ 6y .erta0n o1 t-e statements w-0.- 1orme/ part o1 t-e /e1en/ant7s
representat0ons an/ 0ssue/ a wr0t aga0nst -0m .la0m0ng /amages 1or /e1amat0on an/ an 0n9un.t0on to restra0n t-e
/e1en/ant 1rom 1urt-er pu6l0s-0ng t-e statements2 %-e /e1en/ant ra0se/ t-e /e1en.e o1 a6solute pr00lege an/
su6seEuently appl0e/ 1or t-e 1ollow0ng prel0m0nary 0ssue to 6e /eterm0ne/ 6y t-e .ourt< 0e w-et-er t-e /e1en.e o1
a6solute pr00lege 0s as a matter o1 law aa0la6le to t-e /e1en/ant2
Gr0m6erg J"< .ons0/ere/ t-e Engl0s- pr0n.0ples as la0/ /own 0n art , o1 t-e !0ll o1 R0g-ts an/ 0n t-e ot-er
Engl0s- .ases2 %-e learne/ 9u/0.0al .omm0ss0oner also .ons0/ere/ t-e releant $0ngapore leg0slat0on2 In -0s
9u/gment at pp +&,< -e sa0/@
I 10n/ t-at t-e 0mmun0t0es o1 Parl0ament 0n $0ngapore are t-ose w-0.- 222 eC0st 0n t-e Un0te/ ?0ng/om< an/ t-at t-ese
0mmun0t0es 0n.lu/e eCempt0on 1rom .00l an/ .r0m0nal l0a60l0ty ar0s0ng out o1 t-e .ontents o1 wr0tten representat0ons ma/e
6y a mem6er o1 t-e pu6l0. to Parl0ament .on.ern0ng a !0ll 6e1ore a $ele.t "omm0ttee 222
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +9,
;e t-en .on.lu/e/ at p ,@
222 0n my 9u/gment< 0n t-e oerr0/0ng pu6l0. 0nterest t-at wr0tten representat0ons to Parl0ament s-oul/ attra.t a6solute
pr00lege< so t-at persons ma:0ng t-em 0n t-e /0s.-arge o1 t-e0r r0g-ts s-oul/ 1eel 1ree to /o so w0t-out 6e0ng t-reatene/
w0t-< or eCe/ 6y pro.ee/0ngs< w-et-er t-ey 6e .00l or .r0m0nal2
It 0s to 6e note/ t-at 1ohnson-%mith states t-e pr0n.0ples o1 Parl0amentary pr00lege 0n Englan/2 Times &
%i&adas appl0e/ t-e Engl0s- pr0n.0ples2 It 0s also to 6e note/ t-at t-e .0r.umstan.es 0n t-ose two .ases are
/011erent 1rom t-e 1a.ts o1 t-e present .ase2
%-e pos0t0on 0n Malays0a 0s sl0g-tly /011erent2 Art0.le >= o1 t-e De/eral "onst0tut0on states as 1ollows@
Page 12
314 %-e al0/0ty o1 any pro.ee/0ngs 0n e0t-er ;ouse o1 Parl0ament or any .omm0ttee t-ereo1 s-all not 6e
Euest0one/ 0n any .ourt2
324 No person s-all 6e l0a6le to any pro.ee/0ngs 0n any .ourt 0n respe.t o1 anyt-0ng sa0/ or any ote
g0en 6y -0m w-en ta:0ng part 0n any pro.ee/0ngs o1 e0t-er ;ouse o1 Parl0ament or any .omm0ttee
t-ereo12
3=4 No person s-all 6e l0a6le to any pro.ee/0ngs 0n any .ourt 0n respe.t o1 anyt-0ng pu6l0s-e/ 6y or
un/er t-e aut-or0ty o1 e0t-er ;ouse o1 Parl0ament2
354 "lause 324 s-all not apply to any person .-arge/ w0t- an o11en.e un/er t-e law passe/ 6y
Parl0ament un/er .l 354 o1 art 10 or w0t- an o11en.e un/er t-e $e/0t0on A.t 1,5+ 1,+5 as amen/e/ 6y
t-e Emergen.y 3Essent0al Powers4 #r/0nan.e No 5) 1,*02
3)4 Notw0t-stan/0ng .l 354< no person s-all 6e l0a6le to any pro.ee/0ngs 0n any .ourt 0n respe.t o1
anyt-0ng sa0/ 6y -0m o1 t-e Hang /0&Pertuan Agong or a Ruler w-en ta:0ng part 0n any pro.ee/0ngs o1
e0t-er ;ouse o1 Parl0ament or any .omm0ttee t-ereo1 eC.ept w-ere -e a/o.ates t-e a6ol0t0on o1 t-e
.onst0tut0onal pos0t0on o1 t-e Hang /0&Pertuan Agong as t-e $upreme ;ea/ o1 t-e De/erat0on or t-e
.onst0tut0onal pos0t0on o1 t-e Ruler o1 a $tate< as t-e .ase may 6e2
"lause 354 was a//e/ w0t- e11e.t 1rom 10 Mar.- 1,*1 6y t-e "onst0tut0onal 3Amen/ment4 A.t 1,*12 "lause
354 l0m0ts t-e r0g-t o1 1ree spee.- 0n Parl0ament to t-e eCtent as state/ t-ere0n2 $ee Mar9 6oding & PP '1,+2(
2 MLJ 1202
Un/er .l 314 t-e .ourt .annot Euest0on t-e al0/0ty o1 pro.ee/0ngs 0n e0t-er ;ouse o1 Parl0ament or any
.omm0ttee t-ereo12 %-e De/eral "ourt -as /e.0/e/ t-at 0t .oul/< -oweer< loo: at t-e re.or/s o1 pro.ee/0ngs
0n Parl0ament 0n or/er to /eterm0ne w-et-er t-e Emergen.y 3Pu6l0. #r/er an/ Preent0on o1 "r0mes4
#r/0nan.e 1,>, was la0/ 6e1ore 6ot- ;ouses o1 Parl0ament2 I1 t-e re.or/s :ept 6y parl0ament s-owe/ t-at a
paper -a/ 6een la0/< t-at 0s .on.lus0e as 1ar as t-e .ourts are .on.erne/2 $ee 5nspector-4eneral of Police /
"nor & Lee 6im 7oong '1,*,( 2 MLJ 2,1< t-e 0ssue 6e1ore t-e De/eral "ourt was w-et-er a state o1
Emergen.y pro.la0me/ 6y t-e Hang /0&Pertuan Agong un/er art 1)0314 two /ays a1ter t-e 1= May r0ots< was
la0/ 6e1ore t-e $enate2 $u110an LP< 0n /el0er0ng t-e 9u/gment o1 t-e .ourt sa0/@
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +91
222 $e.on/ly< re1eren.e was ma/e /ur0ng t-e .ourse o1 arguments to art >=314 o1 t-e "onst0tut0on 222 an/ t-e learne/
$ol0.0tor&General< rely0ng on M%M %harma & %hree 6rishna %inha< -al1&-earte/ly argue/ we -a/ no 9ur0s/0.t0on to
Euest0on t-e al0/0ty o1 t-e Pro.lamat0on2 In our 9u/gment< t-at art0.le means t-0s< t-at 01 0n 1a.t t-e Votes an/
Pro.ee/0ngs o1 t-e $enate re.or/e/ t-at t-e Pro.lamat0on -a/ 6een la0/ 6e1ore t-e $enate t-en< as 0t was also so
re.or/e/ 0n t-e Reg0ster as well as ment0one/ 0n t-e #r/er Paper 1or t-e /ay< we woul/ -ae 6een /e6arre/ 1rom
Euest0on0ng 0ts al0/0ty< 6ut t-at we are not pre.lu/e/ 1rom eCam0n0ng t-e matter w-ere t-e Votes an/ Pro.ee/0ngs are
s0lent2
$0n.e t-e Euest0on o1 t-e a/m0ss060l0ty o1 t-e eC- P20 was not ra0se/ at t-e tr0al an/ 0n t-e "ourt o1 Appeal
t-e matter was not /ealt w0t- 6y t-e .ourts 6elow2 Mr ?arpal $0ng- only ra0se/ t-e 0ssue 6e1ore t-0s .ourt2
In our 0ew< t-0s .ourt 0s not pre.lu/e/ 1rom loo:0ng at eC- P20 1or t-e purpose o1 as.erta0n0ng w-et-er t-e
appellant -a/ ta:en measures 0n Parl0ament to er01y t-e trut- o1 t-e wor/s 7Mangsa 80pen9ara:an72
It 0s now ne.essary to eCam0ne eC- P202
#n 25 #.to6er 1,,5< t-e appellant moe/ a mot0on 0n t-e 8ewan Ra:yat2 %-e mot0on rea/s< 7%0n/a:an %0/a:
A/0l Peguam Negara /alam ?es ;u6ungan $ul0t %an $r0 A6/ul Ra-0m %-am6y "-0: 8engan Pela9ar !awa-
Umur27 %-e ma0n t-rust o1 t-e mot0on was to atta.: t-e ;onoura6le t-e Attorney&General2 A0t- regar/ to t-e
un/erage/ g0rl< -e sa0/ t-at s-e was not release/ 1rom 7:urungan pol0s72 In -0s wr0tten reply< t-e ;onoura6le
t-e Pr0me M0n0ster sa0/ t-at t-e g0rl was :ept 0n prote.t0e .usto/y 1or -er own sa1ety2Ae -ae rea/ t-e
Penyata Rasm0 Parl0men 3Parl0amentary 8e6ates4 8ewan Ra:yat /ate/ 25 #.to6er 1,,5< pp 1&1)* an/ we
are o1 t-e 0ew t-at -e moe/ t-e mot0on to /e6ate t-e matter 0n Parl0ament an/ not to er01y t-e trut-
w-et-er t-e un/erage/ g0rl was 0n pr0son2 In -0s spee.-< t-e appellant /0/ not use t-e wor/ 7/0pen9ara:an72
%-e wr0tten reply o1 t-e Pr0me M0n0ster an/ t-e spee.-es o1 8atu: $ye/ ;am0/ were .lear t-at t-e g0rl was
not 0n pr0son2
Page 1=
EC-060t P20 t-ere1ore /oes not s-ow any e0/en.e t-at t-e appellant too: measures to er01y t-e trut- t-at
t-e un/er&age/ g0rl was 7mangsa /0pen9ara:an72
Ae agree w0t- t-e "ourt o1 Appeal an/ t-e tr0al 9u/ge t-at t-ere was no e0/en.e t-at t-e appellant too:
reasona6le measures to er01y t-e trut- o1 t-e wor/s .ompla0ne/ o12 %-ere was no e0/en.e to re6ut t-e
presumpt0on un/er s +A324 o1 t-e A.t2 In t-e .0r.umstan.es< we agree w0t- t-e "ourt o1 Appeal t-at t-e tr0al
9u/ge was r0g-t 0n 10n/0ng t-e appellant gu0lty o1 t-e 10rst .-arge2 !e1ore /eal0ng w0t- t-e Euest0on o1 senten.e<
we propose to /eal w0t- t-e se.on/ .-arge neCt2
As alrea/y state/< t-e appellant was also .-arge/ un/er s 5314 o1 t-e $e/0t0on A.t 1,5+2 %-e se.t0on states
t-at 7Any person w-o && 364 utters any se/0t0ous wor/s 222 $-all 6e gu0lty o1 an o11en.e27 %-e wor/ 7se/0t0ous7 0s
/e10ne/ 0n s 22 It means 7w-en appl0e/ to or use/ 0n respe.t o1 any a.t< spee.-< wor/s< pu6l0.at0on 222 as one
-a0ng a se/0t0ous ten/en.y27 $e.t0on = states< 0nter al0a< t-at a 7se/0t0ous ten/en.y7 0s a ten/en.y 222 3.4 to
6r0ng 0nto
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +90
-atre/ or .ontempt or to eC.0te /0sa11e.t0on aga0nst t-e a/m0n0strat0on o1 9ust0.e 0n Malays0a or 0n any state27
!e1ore go0ng 0nto t-e appellant7s groun/s o1 appeal< 0t 0s releant to state 6r0e1ly t-e .ase 1or t-e prose.ut0on2
#n 1, January 1,,)< a 1ew pol0.e o110.ers were present at t-e ceramah g0en 6y t-e appellant2 ?pl $tanley
L0ew 3$P24 was present at t-e ceramah2 ;e l0stene/ to t-e appellant7s spee.- an/ at t-e same t0me -e too:
/own notes2 Later on -e type/ w-at was wr0tten 0n -0s notes2 %-e .opy was ten/ere/ as eC- P>2 %wo ot-er
pol0.e o110.ers< Ka:ar0a !u/0n 3$P*4 an/ Inspe.tor Lo:e Ho:e "-oy 3$P 1=4 were also present at t-e
ceramah.
%-e essen.e o1 t-e appellant7s spee.- as state/ 6y $tanley L0ew an/ 0n P> 0s t-at@
3) %-e appellant was /0ssat0s10e/ w0t- t-e laws o1 Malays0a 6e.ause o1 t-e /ou6le stan/ar/<
namely< t-e rape .ase 0nol0ng %an $r0 Ra-0m %-am6y "-0: was not 6roug-t to t-e .ourt an/
t-e Attorney&General -a/ state/ t-at %an $r0 Ra-0m was not 0nole/ 0n a rape .ase 0nol0ng
an un/erage/ g0rlB
3) %-e appellant was /0ssat0s10e/ w0t- t-e /e.0s0on o1 t-e .ourt or/er0ng t-e g0rl 0nole/ 0n t-e
rape .ase to 6e /eta0ne/ 1or a per0o/ o1 t-ree years w-en 0n 1a.t %an $r0 Ra-0m s-oul/ 6e sent
to pr0son2 ;e sa0/ an 0nno.ent person 3t-e un/erage/ g0rl4 was sent to pr0son 0nstea/2
Mr ?arpal $0ng- su6m0tte/ t-at t-e tr0al 9u/ge .ons0/ere/ t-e e0/en.e o1 t-e prose.ut0on w0tnesses
unsat0s1a.tory 0n relat0on to t-e 10rst part o1 t-e se.on/ .-arge2 ;e sa0/ t-at 01 t-e prose.ut0on e0/en.e was
unsat0s1a.tory< t-e tr0al 9u/ge s-oul/ not -ae as:e/ t-e appellant to enter -0s /e1en.e on t-e se.on/ .-arge2
Mr ?arpal $0ng- was wrong 0n us0ng t-e wor/ 7unsat0s1a.tory72 %-e tr0al 9u/ge /0/ not use t-at wor/2 A-at t-e
tr0al 9u/ge sa0/ was t-at -e .ons0/ere/ t-e poss060l0ty t-at t-e prose.ut0on w0tnesses were .on1use/ 3
ter9eliru42 ;e also .ons0/ere/ t-e poss060l0ty t-at t-e appellant -0msel1 tr0e/ to .on1use t-e .ourt2 %-e tr0al
9u/ge t-en ma/e a 10n/0ng o1 1a.t t-at t-e appellant7s spee.- was not se/0t0ous 0n respe.t o1 t-e 10rst part o1
t-e se.on/ .-arge2
;e ma/e t-0s 10n/0ng< a1ter .ons0/er0ng t-e /e1en.e .ase2 At t-e en/ o1 t-e .ase 1rom t-e prose.ut0on< t-e
tr0al 9u/ge -a/ .alle/ upon t-e appellant to enter -0s /e1en.e on t-e 10rst an/ se.on/ parts o1 t-e se.on/
.-arge2 8esp0te -0s 10n/0ng on t-e 10rst part o1 t-e se.on/ .-arge< t-e tr0al 9u/ge was ent0tle/ to .ons0/er t-e
se.on/ part2 $ee t-e 9u/gment o1 Ra9a AIlan $-a- DJ 0n PP & Datu9 7a;i 7arun bin 7a;i 5dris '1,**( 1 MLJ
1) at p 1,2 %-e pu6l0. prose.utor /0/ not appeal aga0nst t-e /e.0s0on o1 t-e tr0al 9u/ge 0n respe.t o1 t-e 10rst
part o1 t-e se.on/ .-arge2 ;0s /e.0s0on< t-ere1ore< st0ll stan/s an/ 0s not an 0ssue 0n t-0s appeal2
Mr ?arpal $0ng-7s neCt groun/ was also on t-e 0ssue o1 1a.t2 ;e argue/ t-at t-e e0/en.e o1 t-e prose.ut0on
w0tnesses .ontra/0.te/ one anot-er2 ;e re1erre/ to t-e e0/en.e o1 Mr Hew ?o: ?ee 3$P154 w-o was a
mem6er o1 t-e 8AP2 %-0s w0tness /en0e/ t-at t-e appellant uttere/ t-e wor/s .onta0ne/ 0n t-e se.on/
.-arge2 ;e t-en re1erre/ to t-e e0/en.e o1 t-e
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +9.
pol0.e o110.ers< ?pl $tanley L0ew< Ka:ar0a 60n !u/0n an/ Inspe.tor Lo:e Ho:e "-oy2 A..or/0ng to -0m t-ere
were two sets o1 e0/en.e 6e1ore t-e tr0al 9u/ge2 ;e sa0/ t-at 0n -0s groun/s o1 9u/gment< t-e tr0al 9u/ge -a/
re9e.te/ t-e e0/en.e o1 Hew ?o: ?ee on t-e groun/ t-at -0s e0/en.e was 60ase/ an/ wea: 3 lemah42 %-e
Page 15
tr0al 9u/ge< -oweer< a..epte/ t-e e0/en.e o1 ?pl $tanley L0ew an/ Ka:ar0a 60n !u/0n2Ae t-0n: t-0s po0nt
-as 6een a/eEuately /ealt w0t- 6y t-e "ourt o1 Appeal2 A1ter .ons0/er0ng t-e e0/en.e an/ t-e law< t-e "ourt
o1 Appeal .on.lu/e/ at p 5+@
Ae are una6le to /0s.ern any error 0n t-e tr0al 9u/ge7s approa.- to t-e e0/en.e le/ 0n proo1 o1 t-e se.on/ .-arge2 In
our 9u/gment< t-ere was 9u/0.0al appre.0at0on 6y t-e tr0al 9u/ge o1 t-e e0/en.e le/ 0n support o1 t-e se.on/ .-arge2 %-e
su6m0ss0on on t-e .ontra/0.t0on po0nt t-ere1ore 1a0ls2
Ae .on10rm t-at t-e a6oe passage 0s t-e r0g-t .on.lus0on 0n t-e .0r.umstan.es o1 t-0s .ase 3see Datu9 7a;i
7arun bin 7a;i 5dris .ase7s< Pie 3 *n Chin : Mohamed bin Chin & PP '1,+=( 1 "LJ =1>B Mohamed "lias &
PP '1,+=( 2 MLJ 1*2B %eena Pa99eer Mohamed / ?rs & Pana 6ader Merah '1+,>( $$LR +5B an/ Lim 8ow
Choon & PP '1,*2( 1 MLJ 20)42
Ae now turn to t-e neCt groun/2 Mr ?arpal $0ng- su6m0tte/ t-at t-e .ourt .oul/ not .on0.t an a..use/
person on t-e un.orro6orate/ e0/en.e o1 one w0tness2 In support o1 -0s su6m0ss0on -e rel0e/ on t-e
9u/gment o1 Gunn "-0t %uan J 3as -e t-en was4 0nT@ @athan & PP '1,*+( 1 MLJ 1=5 at p 1=*2 Ae /o not
t-0n: t-at .ase 0s releant to t-e present .ase2 In t-at .ase t-e learne/ 9u/ge /e.0/e/ t-at t-e 0ssue 6e1ore
-0s Lor/s-0p was t-e Euest0on o1 t-e un.orro6orate/ e0/en.e o1 an a..ompl0.e2 %-e w0tness re1erre/ to 6y
Mr ?arpal $0ng- 0n t-e present .ase was ?pl $tanley L0ew2 It 0s not 0n /0spute t-at ?pl $tanley L0ew was not
an a..ompl0.e 6ut an or/0nary w0tness2
Mr ?arpal $0ng- /rew t-e attent0on o1 t-0s .ourt to s >314 o1 t-e $e/0t0ous A.t2 %-e se.t0on states t-at
notw0t-stan/0ng anyt-0ng to t-e .ontrary .onta0ne/ 0n t-e E0/en.e A.t< no person s-all 6e .on0.te/ o1 an
o11en.e un/er s 5 on t-e un.orro6orate/ test0mony o1 one w0tness2 ;e su6m0tte/ t-at un/er t-e se.t0on t-ere
.oul/ not 6e any .on0.t0on on t-e un.orro6orate/ e0/en.e o1 one w0tness2 ;e sa0/ 0n t-e present .ase t-e
pol0.e /0/ not tape re.or/ t-e spee.- o1 t-e appellant2 A..or/0ng to -0m t-e tr0al 9u/ge was wrong 0n
.on0.t0ng t-e appellant on t-e se.on/ .-arge on t-e 6as0s o1 t-e un.orro6orate/ e0/en.e o1 ?pl $tanley
L0ew2
%-e 8eputy Pu6l0. Prose.utor< En AI-ar 60n Mo-ama/ agree/ w0t- ?arpal $0ng- t-at s >314 o1 t-e A.t
reEu0res .orro6orat0on o1 t-e test0mony o1 one w0tness2 ;e su6m0tte/ -oweer t-at t-e e0/en.e o1 Ka:ar0a
60n !u/0n an/ lnspe.tor ?o: Ho: "-oy .orro6orate/ t-e e0/en.e o1 ?pl $tanley L0ew2 ;e sa0/ t-at P> was
an 0mportant e0/en.e2 ;e t-en re1erre/ to s 1)* o1 t-e E0/en.e A.t 1,)0< an/ sa0/ t-at t-at se.t0on
allows a person to .orro6orate -0msel1 6y -0s 1ormer statement2 ;e a..or/0ngly su6m0tte/ t-at P>
.orro6orate/ t-e e0/en.e o1 ?pl $tanley L0ew2
It 0s .lear t-at un/er s >314< t-e .ourt .annot .on0.t a person on t-e un.orro6orate/ e0/en.e o1 one w0tness2
$ee PP & Mar9 6oding '1,+=( 1 MLJ 111 at p 1152
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +9!
In .ons0/er0ng t-e Euest0on o1 .orro6orat0on un/er t-e $e/0t0on A.t 1,5+< we s-all 10rst eCam0ne s 1)* o1 t-e
E0/en.e A.t 1,)02 %-e se.t0on states@
In or/er to .orro6orate t-e test0mony o1 a w0tness< any 1ormer statement ma/e 6y -0m w-et-er wr0tten
or er6al< on oat-< or 0n or/0nary .onersat0on< relat0ng to t-e same 1a.t at or a6out t-e t0me w-en t-e
1a.t too: pla.e< or 6e1ore any aut-or0ty legally .ompetent to 0nest0gate t-e 1a.t< may 6e proe/2
Mr ?arpal $0ng- su6m0tte/ t-at t-e learne/ /eputy was wrong 0n say0ng t-at s 1)* .oul/ 6e 0no:e/ 1or t-e
purpose o1 .orro6orat0on 0n t-e present .ase2 ;e re1erre/ to an art0.le< 7"orro6orat0on 6y 1ormer $tatements7
6y $ August0ne Paul pu6l0s-e/ 0n t-e Malayan Law Journal< '1,,0( 2 MLJ C.02 %-at art0.le /0s.usse/ t-e
pos0t0on o1 s 1)* o1 t-e E0/en.e A.t 1,)0 0n t-e l0g-t o1 s *=A w-0.- was a//e/ to t-e A.t 6y 0rtue o1 PU
3A4 2>1 o1 1,*12 At p C.< t-e aut-or states@
#n.e 0t -as 6een esta6l0s-e/ t-at t-e 10rst l0m6 o1 s *=A3*4 appl0es to t-e e0/en.e o1 a part0.ular w0tness o1 a spe.010e/
.lass t-en t-e se.on/ l0m6 o1 t-e sa0/ se.t0on w0ll 6e automat0.ally a.t0ate/2 %-0s woul/ mean t-at su.- a statement<
t-oug- ren/ere/ a/m0ss06le 6y t-e E0/en.e A.t 1,)0< s-all not 6e treate/ as .orro6orat0on o1 e0/en.e g0en 6y t-e
ma:er o1 t-e statement2 %-0s man/atory /0re.t0on woul/ apply< 0n part0.ular< to statements a/m0tte/ un/er s 1)*2 %-e
0ne0ta6le result 0s t-at s *=A3*4 w0ll now operate to eC.lu/e out&o1&.ourt statements a/m0tte/ un/er s 1)* 1rom 6e0ng o1
Page 1)
any .orro6orat0e alue to t-e test0mony o1 t-e ma:er2 $e.t0on 1)*< t-e plague o1 t-e .ourts 1or /e.a/es< -as 6een
ren/ere/ nugatory2
$e.t0on 1)* must now operate su69e.t to s *=A3*42
%-e aut-or .on.lu/es -0s art0.le 6y stat0ng< 7It 0s 222 su6m0tte/ t-at 222 s *=A3*4 -as t-e statutory power to w0pe
out an/ null01y t-e e11e.t o1 s 1)* t-us ren/er0ng t-e sa0/ se.t0on ot0ose27
Mr ?arpal $0ng- also .0te/ "2i2 bin Muhamad Din & PP '1,,>( ) MLJ 5*=2 %-at .ase was /e.0/e/ 6y Mr
August0ne Paul w-o -a/ s0n.e 6een eleate/ to t-e ;0g- "ourt as 9u/0.0al .omm0ss0oner2 In t-at .ase t-e
learne/ 9u/0.0al .omm0ss0oner /e.0/e/ t-at s *=A3*4 o1 t-e E0/en.e A.t 1,)0 -a/ a /0re.t 6ear0ng on t-e
e0/en.e ren/ere/ a/m0ss06le 6y s 1)*2 ;e -el/ t-at 6ot- t-e se.t0ons .oul/ not 6e -armon0ously 0nterprete/
an/ 0n t-e l0g-t o1 t-e rules o1 .onstru.t0on< s *=A3*4 must prea0l2 %-us< -e sa0/< a statement ren/ere/
a/m0ss06le 6y s 1)* .oul/ not 6e treate/ as .orro6orat0on o1 e0/en.e g0en 6y t-e ma:er o1 t-e statement2
It 0s now ne.essary to see s *=A o1 t-e E0/en.e A.t 1,)02 %-e se.t0on states@
*=a 314 Notw0t-stan/0ng anyt-0ng .onta0ne/ 0n t-0s .-apter< 0n any .00l pro.ee/0ngs
w-ere /0re.t oral e0/en.e o1 a 1a.t woul/ 6e a/m0ss06le< any statement ma/e 6y a
person 0n a /o.ument an/ ten/0ng to esta6l0s- t-at 1a.t s-all< on pro/u.t0on o1 t-e
or0g0nal /o.ument< 6e a/m0ss06le as e0/en.e o1 t-at 1a.t 01 t-e 1ollow0ng .on/0t0ons
are sat0s10e/@
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +9+
3a4 01 t-e ma:er o1 t-e statement e0t-er &&
304 -a/ personal :nowle/ge o1 t-e matters /ealt
w0t- 6y t-e statementB or
3004 w-ere t-e /o.ument 0n Euest0on 0s or 1orms part
o1 a re.or/ purport0ng to 6e a .ont0nuous re.or/<
ma/e t-e statement 3so 1ar as t-e matters /ealt
w0t- t-ere6y are not w0t-0n -0s personal :nowle/ge4
0n t-e per1orman.e o1 a /uty to re.or/ 0n1ormat0on
suppl0e/ to -0m 6y a person w-o -a/< or m0g-t
reasona6ly 6e suppose/ to -ae -a/< personal
:nowle/ge o1 t-ose mattersB an/
Page 1>
364 01 t-e ma:er o1 t-e statement 0s .alle/ as a w0tness 0n t-e
pro.ee/0ngs@
Pro0/e/ t-at t-e .on/0t0on t-at t-e ma:er o1 t-e statement s-all 6e .alle/ as a
w0tness nee/ not 6e sat0s10e/ 01 -e 0s /ea/< or un10t 6y reason o1 -0s 6o/0ly or mental
.on/0t0on to atten/ as a w0tness< or 01 -e 0s 6eyon/ t-e seas an/ 0t 0s not reasona6ly
pra.t0.a6le to se.ure -0s atten/an.e< or 01 all reasona6le e11orts to 10n/ -0m -ae 6een
ma/e w0t-out su..ess2
324 In any .00l pro.ee/0ngs< t-e .ourt may at any stage o1 t-e pro.ee/0ngs< 01 -a0ng
regar/ to all t-e .0r.umstan.es o1 t-e .ase 0t 0s sat0s10e/ t-at un/ue /elay or eCpense
woul/ ot-erw0se 6e .ause/< or/er t-at su.- a statement as 0s ment0one/ 0n su6&s 314
s-all 6e a/m0ss06le as e0/en.e or may< w0t-out any su.- or/er -a0ng 6een ma/e<
a/m0t su.- a statement 0n e0/en.e &&
3a4 notw0t-stan/0ng t-at t-e ma:er o1 t-e statement 0s aa0la6le 6ut
0s not .alle/ as a w0tnessB an/
364 notw0t-stan/0ng t-at t-e or0g0nal /o.ument 0s not pro/u.e/< 01< 0n
l0eu t-ereo1< t-ere 0s pro/u.e/ a .opy o1 t-e or0g0nal /o.ument or o1
t-e mater0al part t-ereo1 .ert010e/ to 6e a true .opy 0n su.- manner
as may 6e spe.010e/ 0n t-e or/er or as t-e .ourt may approe< as t-e
.ase may 6e2
3=4 Not-0ng 0n t-0s se.t0on s-all ren/er a/m0ss06le as e0/en.e any statement ma/e
6y a person 0ntereste/ at a t0me w-en pro.ee/0ngs were pen/0ng or ant0.0pate/<
0nol0ng a /0spute as to any 1a.t w-0.- t-e statement m0g-t ten/ to esta6l0s-2
354 Dor t-e purposes o1 t-0s se.t0on< a statement 0n a /o.ument s-all not 6e /eeme/
to -ae 6een ma/e 6y a person unless t-e /o.ument< or t-e mater0al part t-ereo1
was wr0tten< ma/e or pro/u.e/ 6y -0m w0t- -0s own -an/< or was s0gne/ or 0n0t0alle/
6y -0m< or ot-erw0se re.ogn0Ie/ 6y -0m 0n wr0t0ng as one 1or t-e a..ura.y o1 w-0.- -e
0s respons06le2
3)4 Dor t-e purpose o1 /e.0/0ng w-et-er or not a statement 0s a/m0ss06le as e0/en.e
6y 0rtue o1 su6&ss 314 to 354< t-e .ourt may /raw any reasona6le 0n1eren.e 1rom t-e
1orm or .ontents o1 t-e /o.ument 0n w-0.- t-e statement 0s .onta0ne/< or 1rom any
ot-er .0r.umstan.es< an/ may< 0n /e.0/0ng w-et-er or not a person 0s 10t to atten/ as
a w0tness< a.t on a .ert010.ate purport0ng to 6e t-e .ert010.ate o1 a reg0stere/ me/0.al
pra.t0t0oner< an/< w-ere t-e pro.ee/0ngs are w0t- assessors< t-e .ourt may 0n 0ts
Page 1*
/0s.ret0on re9e.t t-e statement notw0t-stan/0ng t-at t-e reEu0rements o1 t-0s se.t0on
are sat0s10e/
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +9)
w0t- respe.t t-ereto< 01 1or any reason< 0t appears to 0t to 6e 0neCpe/0ent 0n t-e
0nterests o1 9ust0.e t-at t-e statement s-oul/ 6e a/m0tte/2
3>4 In est0mat0ng t-e we0g-t< 01 any< to 6e atta.-e/ to a statement ren/ere/ a/m0ss06le
as e0/en.e 6y t-0s a.t< regar/ s-all 6e -a/ to all t-e .0r.umstan.es 1rom w-0.- any
0n1eren.e .an reasona6ly 6e /rawn as to t-e a..ura.y or ot-erw0se o1 t-e statement<
an/< 0n part0.ular< to t-e Euest0on w-et-er or not t-e statement was ma/e
.ontemporaneously w0t- t-e o..urren.e or eC0sten.e o1 t-e 1a.ts state/< an/ to t-e
Euest0on w-et-er or not t-e ma:er o1 t-e statement -a/ any 0n.ent0e to .on.eal or
m0srepresent 1a.ts2
3*4 Dor t-e purpose o1 any rule o1 law or pra.t0.e reEu0r0ng e0/en.e to 6e
.orro6orate/< or regulat0ng t-e manner 0n w-0.- un.orro6orate/ e0/en.e 0s to 6e
treate/< a statement ren/ere/ a/m0ss06le as e0/en.e 6y t-0s A.t s-all not 6e treate/
as .orro6orat0on o1 e0/en.e g0en 6y t-e ma:er o1 t-e statement2
It 0s to 6e note/ t-at su6&s 314 eCpressly states t-e a/m0ss060l0ty o1 a statement ma/e 6y a person 0n any .00l
pro.ee/0ngs2 $u6se.t0on 324 also eCpressly states t-e a/m0ss060l0ty o1 a statement 0n any .00l pro.ee/0ngs2
$u6se.t0on 3=4 states w-at type o1 statement 0s 0na/m0ss06le2 $u6se.t0on 354 /es.r06es -ow a statement 0s
/eeme/ to -ae 6een ma/e 6y a person 1or t-e purpose o1 s *=A2 $u6se.t0on 3)4 states t-at 0n or/er to
/e.0/e w-et-er or not a statement 0s a/m0ss06le as e0/en.e 6y 0rtue o1 su6&ss 314 to 354 t-e .ourt may /raw
a reasona6le 0n1eren.e2 $u6se.t0on 3>4 re1ers to t-e we0g-t to 6e atta.-e/ to a statement ren/ere/
a/m0ss06le2 $u6se.t0on 3*4 states t-at a statement ren/ere/ a/m0ss06ly as e0/en.e un/er t-e A.t s-all not
6e treate/ as .orro6orat0on o1 e0/en.e g0en 6y t-e ma:er o1 t-e statement2
In our op0n0on< s *=A s-oul/ 6e rea/ as a w-ole2 %-e su6se.t0ons s-oul/ not 6e rea/ 0n 0solat0on o1 one
anot-er2 A1ter rea/0ng t-e se.t0on< we are sat0s10e/ t-at t-e w-ole se.t0on re1ers to t-e Euest0on o1
a/m0ss060l0ty o1 a statement ma/e 6y a person 0n .00l pro.ee/0ngs2
In "2i2 bin Muhamad Din & PP< t-e appellant was .on0.te/ 6y t-e sess0ons 9u/ge un/er s =*> o1 t-e Penal
"o/e2 ;e appeale/ to t-e ;0g- "ourt an/ one o1 t-e 0ssues ra0se/ was w-et-er a statement emanat0ng 1rom
a w0tness .oul/ 6e use/ as .orro6orat0on2 August0ne Paul J" 3as -e was t-en4< w-o -ear/ t-e appeal<
.ons0/ere/ s *=A3*4 an/ s 1)* o1 t-e E0/en.e A.t2 In -0s 9u/gment< -e sa0/ t-at s *=A3*4 0s 0n .on1l0.t w0t- s
1)*2 ;e t-en re1erre/ to t-e marg0nal note o1 s *=A as a gu0/e to t-e 0nterpretat0on o1 t-e se.t0on2 %-e
marg0nal note rea/s< 7A/m0ss060l0ty o1 /o.umentary e0/en.e 0n .00l .ases< et.72 %-e learne/ 9u/0.0al
.omm0ss0oner .on.lu/e/ t-at t-e a66re0at0on 7et.7 0n t-e note ma:es 0t a6un/antly .lear t-at t-e a/m0ss060l0ty
o1 /o.umentary e0/en.e 0n .00l .ases 0s only one o1 t-e matters t-at t-e se.t0on .oers2 %-us< -e sa0/< 7t-e
se.t0on 0s not restr0.te/ 0n 0ts appl0.at0on 9ust to t-e a/m0ss060l0ty o1 /o.umentary e0/en.e 0n .00l .ases27 ;e
rule/ t-at t-e /o.umentary e0/en.e ma/e 6y a w0tness .oul/ not 6e treate/ as .orro6orat0on o1 t-e
e0/en.e o1 a w0tness2 %-0s was one o1 t-e groun/s -e rel0e/ upon w-en -e allowe/ t-e appeal 0n t-at .ase2
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +9-
Ae t-0n: t-ere 0s a 1alla.y 0n t-e reason0ng o1 t-e learne/ 9u/0.0al .omm0ss0oner2 %-e a66re0at0on 7et.7 0s 1rom
t-e Lat0n wor/ 7et .etera7 an/ 0t means< 7An/ ot-er t-0ngs or matters o1 l0:e .-ara.ter< o1 t-e same .lassB o1
l0:e :0n/ or purpose27 $ee R$ Vasa 3E/4< Lat0n Aor/s an/ P-rases 1or Lawyers 31,+04 at p +02 %-e Concise
?Cford Dictionar( 3,t- E/4< also /e10nes t-e wor/ 7et .etera7 to mean 7an/ t-e restB an/ s0m0lar t-0ngs27 Drom
t-e /e10n0t0ons< 0t 0s .lear t-at t-e a66re0at0on 7et.7 0n t-e marg0nal note means ot-er t-0ngs or matters relat0ng
to /o.umentary e0/en.e 0n .00l .ases only2 %-e a66re0at0on /oes not 0n.lu/e /o.umentary e0/en.e 0n
.r0m0nal .ases2 %-us< su6&ss 3>4 G 3*4 relate only to /o.umentary e0/en.e 0n .00l .ases2
Page 1+
August0ne Paul J" went on to state 0n -0s 9u/gment t-at 7a statement ren/ere/ a/m0ss06le 6y s 1)* .annot 6e
treate/ as .orro6orat0on o1 e0/en.e g0en 6y t-e ma:er o1 t-e statement27 %-0s propos0t0on -as t-e e11e.t o1
amen/0ng or mo/01y0ng s 1)*2 L0:e ot-er pro0s0ons o1 t-e E0/en.e A.t 1,)0< s 1)* was passe/ 6y
Parl0ament an/ Parl0ament alone .an mo/01y< amen/ or repeal t-e se.t0on2 $o 1ar Parl0ament -as not /one
anyt-0ng to t-e se.t0on2 %-ere1ore 0t rema0ns 0n 1or.e 0n 0ts present 1orm2 %-e .ourt may 0nterpret an/ apply
t-e se.t0on 6ut 0t .annot .-ange w-at 0s state/ 0n t-e se.t0on2
It 0s our 0ew t-at un/er s 1)*< a 1ormer statement ma/e 6y a w0tness 0s a/m0ss06le 0n or/er to .orro6orate
-0s test0mony2 %-e we0g-t o1 su.- a statement 1or t-e purpose o1 .orro6orat0on /epen/s on t-e 1a.ts o1 a
part0.ular .ase2%-0s 0ew 0s supporte/ 6y a long l0ne o1 /e.0/e/ .ases2 In Liew 'ah Ming & PP '1,>=( 2 MLJ
+2< %-omson "J< sa0/ at p +5@
$e.t0on 1)* 0s .lear an/ unam60guous an/ t-ere .an 6e no /ou6t t-at 0n t-e .0r.umstan.es la0/ /own 0n t-at se.t0on a
1ormer statement ma/e 6y a w0tness 0s a/m0ss06le to .orro6orate -0s test0mony an/ w0t- t-e o69e.t o1 s-ow0ng
.ons0sten.y2 !ut t-e we0g-t or alue o1 su.- a statement as .orro6orat0on must always 6e a Euest0on o1 1a.t 222 A-0le<
t-ere1ore< t-e 1ormer statement o1 an a..ompl0.e or 222 o1 a .-0l/ 0s a/m0ss06le to .orro6orate -0s test0mony an/ to
0n/0.ate .ons0sten.y t-e we0g-t to 6e atta.-e/ to 0t must ary w0t- t-e 1a.ts o1 ea.- .ase2
$ee also = & >ela(uthan '1,=)( MLJ 2**B = & 6oh %oon Poh '1,=)( MLJ 120B Mohamed "li & PP '1,>2( 2
MLJ 2=0B 6arthi(a(ani / "nor & Lee Leong %in / "nor '1,*)( 1 MLJ 11,B PP & %amsul 6amar bin Mohd <ain
'1,++( 2 MLJ 2)22
Ae w0s- to a// -ere t-at /esp0te s *=A3*4< s 1)* appl0es to .00l .ases as well2 In 6arthi(a(ani / "nor & Lee
Leong %in / "nor '1,*)( 1 MLJ 11,< Ra9a AIlan $-a- DJ< 3as -e t-en was4< sa0/ at p 120@
It 0s settle/ law t-at a person .annot .orro6orate -0msel1 6ut 0t woul/ appear t-at se.t0on 1)* o1 t-e E0/en.e A.t
ena6les a person to .orro6orate -0s test0mony 6y -0s pre0ous statement2 %-e se.t0on a/opts a .ontrary rule o1 Engl0s-
9ur0spru/en.e 6y ena.t0ng t-at a 1ormer statement o1 a w0tness 0s a/m0ss06le to .orro6orate -0m< 01 t-e 1ormer statement
0s .ons0stent w0t- t-e e0/en.e g0en 6y -0m 0n .ourt2 %-e rule 0s 6ase/ on t-e assumpt0on t-at .ons0sten.y o1 utteran.e
0s a groun/ 1or 6el0e1 0n t-e w0tness7 trut-1ulness< 9ust as 0n.ons0sten.y 0s a groun/ 1or /0s6el0e0ng -0m2 As 1or mysel1<
alt-oug- t-e pre0ous statement ma/e un/er s 1)* 0s a/m0ss06le as .orro6orat0on< 0t
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +9
.onst0tutes a ery wea: type o1 .orro6orat0e e0/en.e as 0t ten/s to /e1eat t-e o69e.t o1 t-e rule t-at a person .annot
.orro6orate -0msel12 In my op0n0on t-e nature an/ eCtent o1 .orro6orat0on ne.essary 0n su.- a .ase must /epen/ on
an/ ary a..or/0ng to t-e part0.ular .0r.umstan.es o1 ea.- .ase2 A-at 0s reEu0re/ 0s some a//0t0onal e0/en.e
ren/er0ng 0t pro6a6le t-at t-e story o1 t-e w0tness 0s true an/ t-at 0t 0s reasona6ly sa1e to a.t upon 0t2 I1 a w0tness 0s
0n/epen/ent< 0e< 01 -e -as no 0nterest 0n t-e su..ess or 1a0lure o1 a .ase an/ -0s e0/en.e 0nsp0res .on10/en.e o1 t-e
.ourt< su.- e0/en.e .an 6e a.te/ upon2 A w0tness 0s normally to 6e .ons0/ere/ 0n/epen/ent unless -e spr0ngs 1rom
sour.es w-0.- are l0:ely to 6e ta0nte/2 I1 t-ere are .0r.umstan.es ten/0ng to a11e.t -0s 0mpart0al0ty< su.- .0r.umstan.es
w0ll -ae to 6e ta:en 0nto a..ount an/ t-e .ourt w0ll -ae to .ome to a /e.0s0on -a0ng regar/ to su.- .0r.umstan.es2
%-e .ourt must eCam0ne t-e e0/en.e g0en 6y su.- w0tness ery .are1ully an/ s.rut0n0Ie all t-e 0n10rm0t0es 0n t-at
e0/en.e 6e1ore /e.0/0ng to a.t upon 0t2
%-e Euest0on to 6e .ons0/ere/ -ere 0s w-et-er s 1)* appl0es to t-e present .ase2 In our op0n0on 0t /oes
6e.ause t-e pro0s0on .onta0ne/ 0n s 1)* 0s not .ontrary to s >314 o1 t-e $e/0t0on A.t 1,5+2 Ae< t-ere1ore<
agree w0t- t-e su6m0ss0on o1 t-e learne/ /eputy t-at t-e statement 3eC- P>4 .orro6orates ?pl $tanley L0ew7s
e0/en.e2 %-e we0g-t o1 t-e statement 1or t-e purpose o1 .orro6orat0ng ?pl $tanley L0ew7s e0/en.e 0s a
Euest0on o1 1a.t2 %-e tr0al 9u/ge -a/ .ons0/ere/ t-e alue o1 t-e statement an/ ma/e a 10n/0ng o1 1a.t t-at t-e
statement alone was not su110.0ent .orro6orat0on to .on0.t t-e appellant2 ;e sa0/< -oweer< t-at $tanley
L0ew7s e0/en.e was .orro6orate/ 6y t-e e0/en.e o1 Ka:ar0a !u/0n 3PA*4 an/ Inspe.tor Lo: Ho:e "-oy
3PA1=42 ;e a//e/ t-at t-e .re/060l0ty o1 ?pl $tanley L0ew7s e0/en.e was en-an.e/ w-en Insp Lo: .on10rme/
as .orre.t t-e .ontent o1 t-e statement 3P>42
%-e "ourt o1 Appeal a..epte/ t-e 10n/0ng o1 t-e tr0al 9u/ge w-en 0t sa0/ t-at alt-oug- t-e two ot-er w0tnesses
.oul/ not re.all eery wor/ spo:en 6y t-e appellant< t-ey .on10rme/ t-at e0/en.e o1 ?pl $tanley L0ew 0n
mater0al part0.ulars2 %-e .ourt sa0/< 7%-0s 0s su110.0ent .orro6orat0on 0n t-e eyes o1 t-e law27
Ae ent0rely agree w0t- t-e "ourt o1 Appeal2 %-e prose.ut0on -a/ t-ere1ore sat0s10e/ t-e reEu0rements o1 t-e
law as .onta0ne/ 0n s >314 o1 t-e $e/0t0on A.t 1,5+2
;a0ng .ons0/ere/ all t-e 0ssues ra0se/ 6y t-e appellant 6e1ore t-0s .ourt< we are sat0s10e/ t-at t-e appellant
was r0g-tly .on0.te/ o1 t-e two .-arges aga0nst -0m2
Page 1,
#n t-e Euest0on o1 senten.0ng< Mr ?arpal $0ng- su6m0tte/ t-at t-e two o11en.es /0/ not warrant .usto/0al
senten.es2 ;e .0te/ PP & Mar9 6oding w-ere t-e a..use/ was 6oun/ oer w0t-out a .on0.t0on2 ;e sa0/ t-at
t-e 0ntent0on o1 t-e appellant 0n -ol/0ng t-e ceramah an/ utter0ng t-e sa0/ wor/s was -onoura6le2 ;e also
sa0/ t-at t-e appellant was a 10rst o11en/er an/ as:e/ t-0s .ourt not to 0mpose senten.es w-0.- woul/
/0sEual01y -0m 1rom 6e0ng a Mem6er o1 Parl0ament2 ;e su6m0tte/ t-at a senten.e o1 1+ mont-s 0mpr0sonment
0n respe.t o1 ea.- .-arge was eC.ess0e2 ;e as:e/ t-0s .ourt to re/u.e t-e senten.e 0n respe.t o1 ea.-
.-arge to one Euarter o1 t-e 1+ mont-s< w-0.- 0s 5 mont-s2
0,,, 0 ML1 +-- at +99
%-e learne/ /eputy su6m0tte/ t-at t-e "ourt o1 Appeal was r0g-t 0n 0nteren0ng t-e senten.es passe/ 6y t-e
tr0al 9u/ge2 ;e sa0/ t-at pu6l0. 0nterest /eman/s t-at t-e .ourt 0ew t-e o11en.es ser0ously an/ urge/ t-0s
.ourt to .ons0/er /eterrent senten.es2
A0t- regar/ to t-e o11en.e un/er s +A314 o1 t-e P()&*)&+ P(',, an/ P%-.)/0*)1&, A/*, t-e "ourt o1 Appeal
eCpresse/ t-e 1ollow0ng 0ew on t-e Euest0on o1 senten.e at p )=@
In our 9u/gment< t-e 0mpos0t0on o1 a 10ne on t-e appellant< -a0ng regar/ to all t-e .0r.umstan.es o1 t-e .ase< 0s a mere
tap on t-e wr0st 6e.ause 0t pla0nly la.:s any /eterrent e11e.t2 %a:0ng 0nto a..ount all t-e .0r.umstan.es o1 t-e .ase<
0n.lu/0ng t-e ser0ousness o1 t-e o11en.e an/ t-e reEu0rement o1 /eterren.e< an/ a1ter str0:0ng a 6alan.e 6etween t-e
0nterests o1 t-e pu6l0. an/ t-e 0nterests o1 t-e appellant< we .ame to t-e .on.lus0on t-at a term o1 e0g-teen mont-s
0mpr0sonment woul/ 6e t-e appropr0ate senten.e to 6e passe/ upon t-e appellant2 Ae senten.e/ t-e appellant
a..or/0ngly upon t-e 10rst .-arge2
In respe.t o1 t-e o11en.e un/er s 5314 o1 t-e $e/0t0on A.t 1,5+< t-e "ourt o1 Appeal sa0/ at p ))@
%o return to t-e .ase 6e1ore us< we 10n/ mer0t 0n t-e .r0t0.0sm 6y En AIa-ar o1 t-e learne/ 9u/ge7s approa.- to t-e
Euest0on o1 senten.e passe/ upon t-e appellant 0n respe.t o1 t-e se.on/ .-arge2 It woul/ appear t-at t-e learne/
9u/ge /0/ not su110.0ently appre.0ate t-e ser0ousness o1 t-e o11en.e .omm0tte/ 6y t-e appellant2 %-e 10ne o1 RM)<000< 0n
/e1ault t-reemont-s 0mpr0sonment 0mpose/ 6y t-e learne/ 9u/ge 0s 0n our 0ew< 1or t-e reasons alrea/y g0en< grossly
0na/eEuate2 It 1ollows t-at t-e appellant7s appeal aga0nst senten.e must 1a0l2
%rue< t-at s 5 o1 t-e $e/0t0on A.t 1,5+ pro0/es 1or a 10ne 0n pr0or0ty to a term o1 0mpr0sonment as pun0s-ment2 !ut t-at
0s not to say t-at a .ourt oug-t neer to sen/ a person to pr0son 1or se/0t0on2 It all /epen/s on t-e 1a.ts o1 ea.- .ase2
;a0ng regar/ to t-e 1a.ts o1 ea.- .ase< we .ame to t-e .on.lus0on t-at t-e senten.e 0mpose/ 6y t-e 9u/ge must 6e
set as0/e 0n 1aour o1 a term o1 0mpr0sonment o1 1+ mont-s 1rom 1 Apr0l 1,,+2
%-e "ourt o1 Appeal r0g-tly appl0e/ t-e /eterren.e pr0n.0ple 0n en-an.0ng t-e senten.e to a term o1 1+
mont-s 0mpr0sonment 0n respe.t o1 t-e 10rst o11en.e2 It 0s also 0mpl0.0t t-at t-e "ourt o1 Appeal appl0e/ t-e
same pr0n.0ple 0n respe.t o1 t-e se.on/ o11en.e2
In our op0n0on< t-e "ourt o1 Appeal -a/ appl0e/ t-e .orre.t pr0n.0ple 0n en-an.0ng t-e senten.e to 1+ mont-s
0mpr0sonment 0n respe.t o1 ea.- o11en.e 0n t-e .0r.umstan.es o1 t-0s .ase2 %-e senten.es are not man01estly
eC.ess0e 6ear0ng 0n m0n/ t-e nature o1 t-e two .-arges an/ t-e 1a.ts o1 t-0s .ase2 Ae -ae .ons0/ere/ Mr
?arpal $0ng-7s su6m0ss0on an/ t-e su6m0ss0on o1 t-e learne/ /eputy an/ we are o1 t-e 0ew t-at t-0s .ourt
s-oul/ not 0nter1ere w0t- t-e senten.es passe/ 6y t-e "ourt o1 Appeal2
Dor t-e reasons g0en a6oe we agree/ t-at all t-e appeals 6e /0sm0sse/2
"ppeal dismissedB
Reporte/ 6y Aong $0o: "-0n