KUALA KANGSAR, May 5 — The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah has commuted the sentences of three prisoners and granted a pardon to a prisoner in conjunction with his enthronement ceremony tomorrow.
Perak Pardon’s Board secretary Datuk Razali Othman in a statement released today said the decision was made in the state Pardon’s Board conference chaired by the Sultan at Iskandriah Palace, here today.
He said the two prisoners who had been sentenced to death were commuted to life imprisonment with effect from today.
Another who had been sentenced to 10 years in prison was released effective today without his conviction set aside by the court.
In addition, the Sultan presented 12 appeal cases handed to him on 12 prisoners who had been sentenced to 10 months imprisonment from March 18, 2015 (their date of release on October 2, 2015.)
Razali said the 12 prisoners were found guilty of taking part in an unlawful assembly under Section 145 of the Penal Code, in 2009 in front of Ubudiah Mosque, Kuala Kangsar.
Of the 12 appeals filed, only one appeal was filed personally and he was released today, the other 11 appeals were filed by a third party.
“The Sultan has issued a reminder that any appeals from prisoners must be submitted by the prisoners themselves through the channels prescribed and not forwarded by a third party using other channels,” he said.
Razali said the Sultan also decreed a sentence was imposed to act as a lesson to the public to respect the laws of the country.
He said a pardon or lessening of a sentence that had been decided by the court would be considered when prisoners who filed the appeal showed remorse, had repented and apologised, with promise of good behavior and would not repeat the same offence. — Bernama
