Alma Nudo Atenza v Public Prosecutor

05-94-05-2017-b Federal Court (Mahkamah Persekutuan) 4 April 2019 • 05-94-05/2017 (B)

Catchwords

Constitutional law - constitutionality of statute - A 5, 8, 121 FC - s 37A Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 - whether the use of double presumptions under s 37A is constitutional - whether insertion of s 37A contravenes the principle of separation of powers - whether s 37A violates Articles 5 & 8 of FC - whether the use of ‘deemed possession’ under s 37(d) of DDA denied the accused of fair trial - presumption of innocence - whether s 37A violates presumption of innocence - whether requirement of the accused to rebut the presumptions violates the presumption of innocence - whether the decision in Muhammed bin Hassan v Public Prosecutor [1998] 2 MLJ 273 remained valid - whether trafficking presumption could only be invoked if trial court had found evidence of possession affirmatively - duty of the court to adopt prismatic approach in interpreting fundamental rights - doctrine of proportionality on statutory presumptions -- whether double presumptions satisfy the requirement of proportionality - whether enactment of s 37A intrudes into judicial power

Practice Areas

Constitutional Law Criminal Law Criminal Procedure

Judges (9)

Abang Iskandar bin Abang Hashim Coram Alizatul Khair binti Osman Khairuddin Coram Balia Yusof bin Haji Wahi Coram Nallini Pathmanathan Coram Panglima David Wong Dak Wah Coram Panglima Richard Malanjum Delivered Ramly bin Haji Ali Coram Rohana binti Yusuf Coram Ym Tengku Eliana binti Tuan Kamaruzaman Coram

Parties (2)

Public Prosecutor Respondent Alma Nudo Atenza Appellant

Judgment

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Source: eJudgment (05-94-05-2017-b)