Gov't mulls forming sentencing council

The government is considering the formation of a sentencing council to “standardise” the sentences meted out by the courts. 

Answering a question by PKR-Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar on statutory rape in the Dewan Rakyat today, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz (left) said the matter has been agreed upon by the Chief Justice. 

“At the preliminary level, the Chief Justice is of the view that a sentencing council as proposed by Lembah Pantai is possible, if the executive agrees. But the council can only standardise sentencing.

“However, in the case of (the national bowler convicted of statutory rape), we cannot revisit the sentence. It cannot be corrected. It is beyond us,” he said. 

Nazri, who is de facto law minister, added that the council also cannot review past sentences, as this will add another tier to the appeal system.

“So a council to review court decisions cannot be formed, but a council to standardise (sentences), as mentioned by Lembah Pantai, could be implemented.”

[More to follow]