This document summarizes a discussion on constitutional law and human rights in Malaysia. It discusses how certain fundamental rights like the right to be informed of arrest grounds and the right to be produced before a magistrate have sometimes been denied to detainees due to legal provisions that override these rights or imperfect law implementation. It then explains the powers granted under Article 149 of the Malaysian constitution to pass laws that can limit fundamental rights in order to combat threats like subversion, even without a state of emergency. Key cases related to judicial review of such laws and the Internal Security Act are analyzed.

1. Constitutional Law II
Prepared by:
Nur Afiqah Norman 1070856
Nursyuhada Matwi 1070852
Ma Kalthum Ishak 1070850
Instructor- Mdm. Intan Nadia Ghulam Khan

2. Question 2
‘there have been occasions where detainees have not been
conferred the basic fundamental right that are contained within the
framework of the constitution which include the non-conferment of
the fundamental right to be informed of ground of arrest and the
right to be produced promptly before the Magistrate. This appears
to be either because of legal provisions which specifically oust such
right or the different interpretation of the law or as a result of the
occasional imperfect implementation of the law by the detaining
authorities.’
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF MALAYSIA,REVIEW OF THE
INTERNAL SECURITY ACT, SUHAKAM
Explain the above quatation by referring to relevant legal and
constitutional provision

3. What is SUHAKAM????
• Human Rights Commission of Malaysia
(Malay: Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi
Malaysia)
• Suhakam is a human rights watchdog in
Malaysia
• It was established by the
Malaysian Parliament using the Human
Rights Commission of Malaysia Act
1999, Act 597

4. Do we have freedom of liberty?
Art 5(1)- no person shall be deprived of
his life or personal liberty except in
accordance with law
Art 5(3)- informed the ground of arrest
- to have legal representation
Art 5(4)- within 24 hours of his arrest,
he shall be produced before the
Magistrate

5. Subversion???
Definition - subversion: (among others,) prejudicing the maintenance of
any supply or service to the public order or national security.
Purpose - empowers Parliament to create laws to combat subversion.
Extent - will be valid, even if they violate certain fundmantal
liberties/rights that is also under the FC. Duration - Previously, 1 year.
Now, indefinitely.
Exercise - The government.
Procedure - When approving the creation of a law such as ISA for
example, only a simple majority in Parliament is required to vote for it.
51%, and not two thirds majority. Neither the King, nor the Conference
of Rulers (the Club of Sultans of various states), need to be consulted

6. Continue…
Generally, subversion is defined in paragraph (a) to (f) of
Article 149 the Federal Constitution. The matter dealt with by
the provision as it also includes various threats such as;
organized violence;
the excitement of disaffection against the Yang di Pertuan
Agong(YDPA) and the government;
the promotion of ill-will and hostility between races;
alteration of anything legal through unlawful means;
prejudicing the maintenance or functioning of supply or
service; and
prejudicing public order and security.
In the case of Theresa Lim Chin Chin v Inspector-General of Police,
there is nothing in law to suggest that subversion is confined to the
communist threat.

7. What make A149 of Federal Constitution so special?
A law under Article 149 can only be made by parliament
which means that can only be passed after a debate.
The legislative power under Article 149 is available
irrespective of whether there is an emergency or not.
Any provision of the law under A149 designed to stop or
prevent that action is valid, regardless of inconsistency with
any of the provisions of Article 5, 9, 10, 13.
(e.g.: Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA 1960), Dangerous Drug
(Special Preventive Measure) Act 1985).
Action taken under Article 149 must be bone fide for the
purpose of stopping or preventing subversion.

8. Continue…
Laws enacted to combat subversion have no time limits and do
not cease to operate even if the threat ceases to exist.
Article 149 powers are independent of Article 150
(Teh Cheng Poh, Privy Council noted that Article 149 is quite
independent of the existence of a state of emergency; indeed it
is not even a requirement that such action should be continuing
at the time the Act of Parliament is passed; all that is required is
the recital referred to in Clause (1); and the power includes
power to make laws providing not only for suppressing
subversion but also for preventing its recurrence).

9. Continue…
Violation of rights must be explicitly authorized
Lee Mau Seng v Minister for Home Affairs, the guarantees
of Article 5, 9, 10, 13 continue to apply unless explicitly
excluded by the anti subversion law.
Abdul Ghani Haroon v Ketua Polis, nothing in the ISA
explicitly excludes a detainee’s right in Article 5 (3) to
consult & be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice.
Legislation under Article 149 and Article 150 must not
violate the safeguards to preventive detainees entrenched
in A151.

10. Do the court has the jurisdiction to review
article 149?
Malaysia apply subjective test and
procedural review’s approach.
Subjective test- other person cannot
evaluate or question the decision.
Procedural review- referred to the
procedure of the case.
Case: Karam Singh v Menteri Hal
Ehwal Dalam Negeri Malaysia

11. Karam Singh’s case
Held: The burden of proof is on the detainee to
show that the detention is illegal. The
detention is not illegal just because the
allegation of fact is insufficient.
In fact, although the detainers has to prove the
legality of the detention, but they simply
would be able to discharge that by simply
producing the order of the detention with
good faith and it is sufficient.

12. Continue….
The truth is, it is hard to prove the bad
faith or mala fide on the part of the
government when they detained
someone.
Other case: Theresa Lim Chin Chin &
ors v Inspector General of Office

13. ISA????
Is derived from article 149
arbitrary powers to detain without trial
available to the Executive.
Depends on the discretion of the
detaining authority.
ISA is contrary to fundamental
principles including the right to liberty of
the person.

14. Continue…
The ISA has been used to suppress
peaceful political, academic and social
activities, and legitimate constructive
criticism by NGOs and other social
pressure groups.
Although the legality of the ISA had
been challenged in the court, but the
court agreed that the law is valid by
virtue of article 149.

15. continue…
Court cannot review the ministerial
discretion.
Except:
Male fide of the minister.
Procedural requirement in ISA.
Case: PP v Musa
Noor Ashid bin Sakib v Ketua
Polis Negara.

16. PP v Musa
A minister order a person to be
restricted.
Subsequent to that restriction, that
person had been detained.
The minister could extend the detention
period up to 2 years and don’t have to
make a fresh detention order.

17. Noor Ashid bin Sakib v Ketua Polis
Negara.
The court’s jurisdiction to review only
with regard to the question relating to
the procedural requirement in the ISA.

18. Legitimacy of the minister’s order.
The minister’s order is illegitimate if it
fall on the ground of mala fide of the
detaining authority.
Karpal Singh v Menteri
this case had made an outstanding
contribution on the question of mala fide
or bad faith on the part of the
government.

19. Continue….
Held: mala fide does not mean at all
malicious intention. It normally means
that a power is exercised for a collateral
or ulterior purpose or for a purpose
other than for which it is professed to
have been exercised.
Other case? Tan Sri Khalid Raja Harun

20. Conclusion…
We do have our fundamental right.
But we must not exceed the limit.
We must not take advantage on the
freedom that had been given to us.
It is because, there is legal provision
that will oust such right.

21. “thank for lending your ears”
Do your best, let Allah do
the rest
Good luck for your final
examination