MUGUNTHAN A/L MANICKAM v Pendakwa Raya

b-05sh-340-08-2023 Court of Appeal (Mahkamah Rayuan) 13 July 2025 • B-05(SH)-340-08/2023 • 25 min read

14 cases cited (0 SG, 14 foreign)

Catchwords

Seksyen 39B(1)(a) Akta Dadah Berbahaya 1952 – pra-syarat di bawah Seksyen 32(1)(i) Akta Keterangan 1950 – isu ketiadaan siasatan forensik berkenaan penimbulan cap jari dan DNA pada dadah - Seksyen 8 Akta Keterangan 1950 - isu kegagalan memanggil Sathianathan a/l Marimuthu dan pemakaian anggapan menurut Seksyen 114(g) Akta Keterangan 1950 - anggapan di bawah Seksyen 37(d) ADB di atas imbangan kebarangkalian gagal dipatahkan - pembelaan Perayu bersifat penafian semata-mata

Practice Areas

Seksyen 39B(1)(a) Akta Dadah Berbahaya 1952

Judges (3)

Azman bin Abdullah Delivered Azmi bin Ariffin Coram Hashim bin Hamzah Coram

Counsel (4)

Salehuddin Saidin & Assoc Firm Ashrul Haikal Counsel Appellant Noor Farhana binti Adham Counsel Prosecution Swinder Singh Counsel Appellant

Parties (2)

Pendakwa Raya Respondent Mugunthan a/l Manickam Appellant

Case Significance

MUGUNTHAN A/L MANICKAM v Pendakwa Raya is a Court of Appeal (Mahkamah Rayuan) decision dated July 13, 2025 (citation: b-05sh-340-08-2023). <p>The appellant faced three separate criminal appeals heard together involving drug offences. Having already completed his sentences for two of the charges (drug administration and possession), those appeals were withdrawn and struck out. The Court of Appeal dismissed the remaining appeal against the trafficking conviction under s.39B(1)(a) and upheld the life imprisonment sentence and 12 strokes of whipping.</p> The panel comprised Azman bin Abdullah, Azmi bin Ariffin and Hashim bin Hamzah, with Azman bin Abdullah delivering the judgment. Counsel appearing: Ashrul Haikal (counsel for appellant), Noor Farhana binti Adham (prosecution counsel), Swinder Singh (counsel for appellant).

Summary

The appellant faced three separate criminal appeals heard together involving drug offences. Having already completed his sentences for two of the charges (drug administration and possession), those appeals were withdrawn and struck out. The Court of Appeal dismissed the remaining appeal against the trafficking conviction under s.39B(1)(a) and upheld the life imprisonment sentence and 12 strokes of whipping.

What was the outcome of MUGUNTHAN A/L MANICKAM v Pendakwa Raya?

<p>The appellant faced three separate criminal appeals heard together involving drug offences. Having already completed his sentences for two of the c...

Cases Cited (14)

MY (14)

[1956] 1 MLJ 237 [1977] 1 MLJ 15 [1985] 1 MLJ 234 [1987] 1 CLJ 250 [1987] 1 MLJ 492 [1997] 1 CLJ 233 [2007] 4 CLJ 337 [2008] 4 CLJ 764 [2010] 5 CLJ 240 [2013] 3 MLJ 630 [2013] 4 CLJ 149 [2014] 2 MLJ 18 [2017] 1 CLJ 575 [2017] MLJU 1216