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2020 MarsdenLR 2960
HIGH COURT MALAYA KUALA LUMPUR
SAMINATHAN GANESAN – Appellant
Versus
PP – Respondent
[Criminal Appeal: WA-44-274-11-2019]
Section 13 of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 is unconstitutional as it violates the judicial power guaranteed by Article 121(1) of the Federal Constitution.
Headnote:(A) Courts of Judicature Act 1964 – Section 30 – Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 – Section 13 – Constitutionality of bail prohibition for terrorism-related offences – The court found Section 13 unconstitutional as it removes judicial discretion in bail matters, infringing on Article 121(1) of the Constitution, which vests judicial power in courts – The applicant was charged under Section 130J and Section 130JB of the Penal Code for supporting a terrorist group. (Paras 1, 22, 70)
Facts of the case: The applicant, a member of the legislative assembly, faced charges related to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and contested the constitutionality of the bail prohibition under SOSMA.
Findings of Court: Section 13 of SOSMA is unconstitutional as it removes the judiciary's power to assess bail applications for terrorism-related charges. (Paras 70, 75)
Issues: The key issue was whether the prohibition on bail in Section 13 of SOSMA infringes Article 121(1) of the Constitution. (Para 16)
Ratio Decidendi: The court determined that the judicial power to grant bail is essential and cannot be removed by legislation; thus, Section 13 violates the separation of powers principle. (Paras 66, 70)
Result: The court ruled that Section 13 is ultra vires and unconstitutional.
Introduction
[1] This is a reference by the Sessions Court to the High Court pursuant to s 30 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 of a question concerning the constitutionality of s 13 of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 which language absolutely prohibits bail for offences relating to terrorism.
[2] I decided that the said s 13 of SOSMA is unconstitutional because it removes from the Courts the power to consider bail in cases of offences relating to terrorism under the Penal Code . These are the full reasons for my decision.
Context And Background
The Accused, The Charges And The Offences
[3] The applicant is a member of the Melaka State Legislative Assembly and a member of the State Executive Council. He is one of the several persons who have been charged in various Sessions Courts in this country with offences relating to terrorism - concerning support for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elaam ("LTTE") group.
[4] The prosecution preferred two charges against the applicant. He was specifically charged with providing support to LTTE under s 130J of the Penal Code , and for possessing items relating to LTTE under s 130JB of the same Code. These two charges read as follows:
PERTUDUHAN PERTAMA
Bahawa kamu pada 28 November 2018 jam lebih kurang 8.30 malam sehingga 10.50 malam bertempat di Dewan Kasturi Ayer Keroh, Jalan Utama, Taman Ayer Keroh Heights, dalam daerah Melaka Tengah, dalam negeri Melaka dengan pengetahuan telah memberi sokongan kepada kumpulan pengganas Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) dalam satu majlis dan oleh yang demikian kamu telah melakukan satu kesalahan di bawah s 130J(1)(a) Kanun Keseksaan yang boleh dihukum di bawah peruntukan yang sama.
PERTUDUHAN KEDUA
Bahawa kamu pada 10 Oktober 2019 jam lebih kurang 10.25 pagi bertempat di Pejabat Exco Perpaduan Sumber Manusia dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna, Jabatan Ketua Menteri, Kompleks Seri Negeri, dalam daerah Melaka Tengah, dalam negeri Melaka telah memiliki item-item yang berunsur perbuatan keganasan atau berkaitan dengan kumpulan pengganas Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) di dalam sebuah telefon bimbit jenama SAMSUNG GALAXY S9+ warna biru gelap No siri imei: 356810093619403 dan No imei: 356811093619401 dan oleh yang demikian kamu telah melakukan satu kesalahan di bawah s 130JB(1)(a) Kanun Keseksaan yang boleh dihukum di bawah peruntukan yang sama.
[5] It is useful for present purposes to appreciate the wide scope of these two provisions in ss 130J and 130JB of the Penal Code , by referring to the provisions in entirety. Section 130J thus reads as follows:
130J. Soliciting or giving support to terrorist groups or for the commission of terrorist acts
(1) Whoever knowingly and in any manner solicits support for, or gives support to:
(a) any terrorist group; or
(b) the commission of a terrorist act,
shall be punished with imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term not exceeding thirty years, or with fine, and shall also be liable to forfeiture of any property used or intended to be used in connection with the commission of the offence.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), "support" includes:
(a) an offer to provide, or the provision of, forged or falsified travel documents to a member of a terrorist group;
(b) an offer to provide, or the provision of, a skill or an expertise for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with a terrorist group;
(c) entering or remaining in any country for the benefit of, or at the direction of or in association with a terrorist group;
(d) becoming a member of or professing membership of a terrorist group;
(e) arranging, managing or assisting in arranging or managing a meeting to further the activities of a terrorist group;
(f) using or possessing property for the purpose of committing or facilitating the commission of a terrorist act;
(g) accumulating, stockpiling or otherwise keeping firearms, explosives, ammunition, poisons or weapons to further the activities of a terrorist grou
