Statutory rape: Provision to disallow reduced sentences to be tabled in Parliament

PADANG RENGGAS, Oct 13 — The government will soon table in Parliament a provision disallowing judges from exercising their discretionary power to reduce the sentence given to statutory rapists, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

If passed, it will be added to section 376 of the Penal Code, which prescribes a mandatory jail sentence for those convicted of statutory rape.

According to a Star Online report, Nazri(picture), who is the de facto law minister, said the provision would state that section 294(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, which gives the judge discretionary power to reduce or give a lighter sentence to the accused, would not apply.

“If passed, the provision will mean that judges cannot give lighter sentence in the case of statutory rape.

“I have spoken to the Attorney-General on the provision and he has agreed; therefore it will be tabled in the next Parliament sitting,” he was reported as saying at a press conference here today.

Nazri said the additional provision was important as it would protect minors.