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Borneo Post
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sabah Town Hall gathers input for criminal law reform
Tan Sri Datuk Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal KOTA KINABALU (Jan 10): The Criminal Law Reform Committee (CLRC), tasked with reviewing and proposing reforms to the Penal Code [Act 574], Criminal Procedure Code [Act 593], and Evidence Act 1950 [Act 56], successfully held a Town Hall session in Sabah on Monday to gather input from stakeholders in the state. This session follows a similar series held in Peninsular Malaysia on 21 May 2025. The Town Hall was chaired by Tan Sri Datuk Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal, former Federal Court judge and chairman of CLRC, alongside his deputy, Datuk Ravinthran N. Paramaguru, a Court of Appeal judge. Also in attendance was Datuk Zamri Misman, Director-General of the Legal Affairs Division, Prime Minister's Department. The Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department said in a statement on Monday that the session aimed to collect suggestions and feedback from Sabah stakeholders regarding criminal law reforms, including the introduction of new offences, amendments to evidence law, burden of proof and sentencing, improvements to fair trial principles, and enhancements to pre-trial procedures — all aligned with the goal of strengthening overall criminal justice. This initiative was spearheaded by Dato' Sri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), as part of a comprehensive national consultation effort. The inclusive approach emphasizes broad participation from various segments of society, including vulnerable groups, professionals and civil society, to ensure fair, equitable and people-centric legal reforms. The overwhelming response during the Sabah Town Hall highlights the initiative's relevance to the public and reflects a collective commitment towards criminal justice reform. It aligns with the MADANI Government's efforts to ensure the nation's legal framework remains relevant, effective, and just in addressing technological advancements, socio-economic developments, emerging threats, and international best practices. To allow more public participation, the deadline for submitting feedback on proposed criminal law reforms has been extended from 31 May 2025 to 15 June 2025. The Legal Affairs Division, Prime Minister's Department extends its highest appreciation to all ministries, government agencies, civil society organizations, higher education institutions, the Malaysian Bar Council, Sabah Law Society, CLRC committee members, and researchers for their valuable contributions. The establishment of the CLRC is a special initiative to review and propose reforms to three key laws — the Penal Code [Act 574], Criminal Procedure Code [Act 593] and Evidence Act [Act 56] — within 18 months in a phased manner. So far, the Committee has held two meetings to discuss the direction of the study and planned reform phases. To strengthen the study's implementation, an Ad Hoc Committee comprising legal, enforcement, technology and civil society experts has also been formed to provide ongoing technical and strategic input. The Chair and members of both committees were appointed by Azalina, reflecting the MADANI Government's commitment to comprehensive legal reforms. This effort aims to ensure the country's criminal justice system becomes more responsive, fair and effective while upholding the rule of law and protecting individual rights.
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Man jailed for illegally transferring money
The Kota Kinabalu Court Complex. KOTA KINABALU (May 20): A labourer was sentenced to four years' jail by a Sessions Court here on Tuesday for illegally transferring RM10,000 from a woman's account to another woman's account. Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan imposed the sentence on Sylvester Ak Drem, 25, after the latter pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 424C (2) of the Penal Code. The indictment provides for a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine of up to RM150,000 or both, upon conviction. Sylvester had committed the offence at a bank branch in Tuaran on November 20, 2024. The court heard that the victim had asked assistance from Sylvester, who is her husband's brother-in-law, to withdraw RM200 for an ATM machine, and after that Sylvester had returned back her ATM card and gave RM200 to her. However, a few days later when the victim wanted to withdraw cash, she found that balance in her bank account had decreased. She then applied for her account to be checked and learnt that there was a transaction involving RM10,000 done on the day she asked for help from the accused to withdraw money. Investigation revealed that Sylvester had transferred the money from the victim's account to his mother's bank account which matched CCTV recordings at the bank branch on the incident day. During the proceedings on Tuesday, when the court inquired where was the money, Sylvester answered that he had spent it all. In his decision, the judge explained that he had taken into consideration that he did not impose a fine punishment because the facts of the case stated that Sylvester had promised to pay back the money, however until a police report was lodged, he had not paid any. The judge also said that he was made to understand that this was the first case in Sabah. The prosecution had informed that there was no reported case in Sabah since the law was gazetted last year. In pleading for a lenient sentence, the unrepresented Sylvester said that he is married and has a child. In reply, the prosecution pressed for a deterrent sentence to serve as a lesson to Sylvester and to would-be offenders to not committing a similar offence. Earlier, Tuaran district police vhief Superintendent Noraidin Ag Maidin said the accused was arrested around 6.30pm on May 16 following a complaint from the victims. 'Investigations found that on November 20, 2024, the suspect transferred RM10,000 from his in-law's bank account into his mother's bank account without their knowledge or consent. 'The suspect then withdrew the money using his mother's ATM card which was in his possession without his mother's consent,' said Noraidin. Noraidin said the accused was the first person in Sabah to be charged under this section after it was introduced through an amendment Act 574 and approved by the Malaysian Parliament in July 2024, and came into effect on October 30, 2024. 'Section 424C(2) provides for punishment for individuals involved in transactions using payment instruments or accounts belonging to others at financial institutions without permission. This measure was taken in response to the increase in cases of online fraud and misuse of bank accounts, including cases of mule account holders. 'Police view such cases seriously including any form of misuse of accounts and financial payment instruments, whether involving outside parties or family members. 'Offences such as this are not only illegal, but also undermine trust in family and financial institutions,' he said. Noraidin advised the public to keep their bank information and bank cards safe and never allow third parties to access their bank accounts, including family members or close friends.
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Man arrested for unauthorised RM100,000 transfer from family members' accounts in Tuaran
Noraidin TUARAN (May 20): A man was arrested by the Tuaran District Police Commercial Crime Investigation Division when he was found involved in an unauthorised financial transaction involving two of his family members. Tuaran District Police Chief Superintendent Noraidin Ag Maidin said the suspect, a 34-year-old local, was arrested around 6.30pm on May 16 following a complaint from the victims. 'Investigations found that on November 20, 2024, the suspect transferred RM100,000 from his in-law's bank account into his mother's bank account without their knowledge or consent. 'The suspect then withdrew the money using his mother's ATM card which was in his possession without his mother's consent,' said Noraidin. The suspect was charged at the Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court under Section 424C(2) of the Penal Code, for unlawful use of another person's payment instrument or account at a financial institution. The sentence carries a jail term of not less than three years and not exceeding 10 years or a fine of not less than ten thousand ringgit but not exceeding one million ringgit, or both. Noraidin said the suspect is the first individual in Sabah to be charged under this section after it was introduced through an amendment Act 574 and approved by the Malaysian Parliament in July 2024, and came into effect on October 30, 2024. 'Section 424C(2) provides for punishment for individuals involved in transactions using payment instruments or accounts belonging to others at financial institutions without permission. This measure was taken in response to the increase in cases of online fraud and misuse of bank accounts, including cases of mule account holders. 'Police view such cases seriously including any form of misuse of accounts and financial payment instruments, whether involving outside parties or family members. 'Offences such as this are not only illegal, but also undermine trust in family and financial institutions,' he said. Noraidin advised the public to keep their bank information and bank cards safe and never allow third parties to access their bank accounts, including family members or close friends. 'File a police report immediately if there is suspicious or unauthorized transaction for further action,' he said.
New Straits Times
28-04-2025
- New Straits Times
7 Indonesians jailed for 9 months for stealing cables from oil platform
KUALA TERENGGANU: Seven Indonesian men were sentenced to nine months' imprisonment by the magistrate's court today for stealing various items from an unoccupied oil platform in Terengganu waters, resulting in losses amounting to RM10,000 on Feb 20. Magistrate Iffah Nabihah Mohd Ishak delivered the verdict after all the accused, aged between 25 and 45, pleaded guilty to the charge. The accused were jointly charged with stealing two sets of cables and four batteries, estimated to be worth RM10,000, belonging to a local oil company. The offence occurred on the platform, located 77 nautical miles from Kuala Terengganu, at 12pm on Feb 20. They were charged under Section 379 of the Penal Code (Act 574), along with Section 34 of the Penal Code. The prosecution was led by Lieutenant Commander Nik Mohd Izwan Farid Md Daud from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). The court ordered the prison sentences to begin from the date of arrest, which was on Feb 20. Previously, the Terengganu MMEA had detained the seven men for allegedly trespassing on an unmanned oil platform in the Tembikai Field, 77 nautical miles off the waters of Kuala Terengganu. All suspects were apprehended while hiding in the platform's ventilation space.
