Terrorists who cause death to hang (Star)

Sunday March 18, 2007

Terrorists who cause death to hang

PUTRAJAYA: Those convicted of terror acts that cause death will now face the mandatory death penalty.

The new law, which comes under the amended Penal Code, came into effect on March 6. Under the amendment, those convicted of giving financial aid to such terrorists will also meet the same fate.

If no death is caused, the convicted persons would be liable to a jail sentence of seven to 30 years and a fine.

These provisions are provided for in a new chapter in the Code dealing with offences against terrorism.

It came into effect a day after Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz signed the gazette notice on March 5.

The new chapter, among others, stipulates terrorist acts as providing devices, training, facilities, property and other services to terrorists as well as harbouring terrorists and intentionally not giving information on terrorists and their property.

These offences mainly carry the new maximum life imprisonment term of 30 years and a fine.

Offences such as intentional omission in giving information related to terrorist acts, providing or collecting property for terrorist acts carry a minimum seven years' jail with a maximum of 30 years' imprisonment as well as a fine.

All these offences allow the police to arrest suspects without a warrant and are not bailable in court.