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Ex-judge says 'rats and roaches for convicts' comment made in passing
Published:  Sep 4, 2016 5:54 PM
Updated: 12:13 PM

Former Court of Appeal judge Mohd Noor Abdullah said his comment that there should be pests in prisons was only made in passing.

"In passing, I said (if) mosquitoes, cockroaches and even rats are expected in prison cells, like our own homes, so be it," he said in a statement today.

Mohd Noor said this was said in the context of Bernama's interview which touched on combating heinous and despicable crimes.

He said the crimes include hired killings, extortion and gang rape. However, he also reiterated that prisons should not be like guesthouses.

"Prisons should not be guesthouses with free lodging and food. Vagabonds and wayfarers should not be tempted to commit petty crime to return to prison," he said.

He added that when it comes to sentencing, punishment should start from harsh to lenient and not the other way round.

"So that criminals are forewarned that they deserve jails sentence unless they merit a fine instead.

"Follow the Syariah Law (concept) of amputation for theft and go downwards (be lenient) on merits. 

"Abandon the western concept of starting with lenincy and moving to up grave punishment," he said.

He said the Penal Code used the term "punish" and did not mention about rehabilitating criminals with good food and sound sleep in prison.

Mohd Noor, who has had a long service in law, also noted that insults had been hurled at him over the matter.

"This ex-judge spent 46 years in court and the AG Chambers, (is) qualified, experienced and full of love and compassion, and is now (being called) a shoe-shiner and an idiot.

"God have mercy on those souls," he said.

Mohd Noor also emphasised the need of judges to uphold justice, and to intervene instead of allowing witnesses to be bullied.

"Deputy public prosecutors must fight each case with vigour and tenacity to counter balance lawyers who use all means to let off the accused," he said.

He also said the notion that it was better to let go 99 guilty men free than send one innocent man to jail, was wrong.

"Judges should go to hell if he convicts an innocent man or if he acquits a guilty man," he said.

'Reform prison system'

Meanwhile, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) said it was concerned by the proposal to make prison conditions worse, and urged for the prison system to be reformed.

LFL executive director Eric Paulsen said this was amid reports that 721 inmates died in Malaysian prisons between 2013 and April 30 this year, which translated to an average of 18 deaths a month.

"Rather than moving backwards and wanting prisons conditions to be worse than 18 deaths every month, the government should be striving towards a more modern approach that safeguards the well-being and dignity of prisoners, promotes rehabilitation rather than punishment, and prepares them for life on the outside, so that they can return to society and not relapse into criminal behaviour," he said.

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