LETITIA BOSMAN v. PP & OTHER APPEALS
FEDERAL COURT, PUTRAJAYA
ROHANA YUSUF PCA
AZAHAR MOHAMED CJ (MALAYA)
ABANG ISKANDAR CJ (SABAH & SARAWAK)
NALLINI PATHMANATHAN FCJ
VERNON ONG LAM KIAT FCJ
ABDUL RAHMAN SEBLI FCJ
ZALEHA YUSOF FCJ
ZABARIAH MOHD YUSOF FCJ
HASNAH MOHAMMED HASHIM FCJ
[CRIMINAL APPEALS NO: 05-76-04-2017(J), 05-179-08-2017(B), 05-214-09-2017(K) & 05(M)-118-05-2018(B)]
13 AUGUST 2020
[2020] CLJ JT (7)

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: Legislation - Constitutionality - Mandatory death penalty - Section 39B of Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 ('DDA') and s. 302 of Penal Code ('PC') - Whether infringed art. 5(1) of Federal Constitution ('FC') - Whether mandatory sentence violated right to life - Whether court empowered to declare legislations void or invalid - Whether power to legislate vested in Parliament - Whether determination of measure of punishment integral part of legislative function - Whether Judiciary bound to pass sentence according to law enacted by Legislature - Whether s. 39B of DDA and s. 302 of PC violated doctrine of separation of powers - Whether mandatory sentence constitutional - Whether right to fair trial under art. 5(1) of FC subject to qualifications - Whether FC provided for prohibition against 'torture, inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment' - Whether s. 302 of PC consistent with arts. 5, 8 and 121 of FC

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Sentencing - Principles - Mandatory death penalty - Section 39B of Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 ('DDA') and s. 302 of Penal Code ('PC') - Whether infringed art. 5(1) of Federal Constitution ('FC') - Whether mandatory sentence violated right to life - Whether court empowered to declare legislations void or invalid - Whether determination of measure of punishment integral part of legislative function - Whether Judiciary bound to pass sentence according to law enacted by Legislature - Whether mandatory sentence constitutional - Whether right to fair trial under art. 5(1) of FC subject to qualifications - Whether FC provided for prohibition against 'torture, inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment' - Whether s. 302 of PC consistent with arts. 5, 8 and 121 of FC