NOMALAN RAMAYAH v. PP & OTHER APPLICATIONS
FEDERAL COURT, PUTRAJAYA
WAN AHMAD FARID SALLEH CJ
AZIZAH NAWAWI CJ (SABAH & SARAWAK)
RHODZARIAH BUJANG FCJ
CHE MOHD RUZIMA GHAZALI FCJ
COLLIN LAWRENCE SEQUERAH FCJ
[CRIMINAL APPLICATIONS NOS: 05(RJ)-1-03-2025(A),
05(RJ)-2-03-2025(N), 05(RJ)-3-03-2025(J),
05(RJ)-4-03-2025(J), 05(RJ)-5-03-2025(J),
05(RJ)-6-03-2025(J) & 05(RJ)-7-03-2025J)]
21 APRIL 2026
[2026] CLJ JT (6)

Abstract – (i) The detention of a child offender 'at the pleasure' of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Ruler, or Yang di-Pertua Negeri under s. 97(2) of the Child Act 2001 ('CA') is constitutional and does not violate art. 5(1) of the Federal Constitution ('FC'). Since the detention is prescribed by a validly enacted law and follows due process of trial, it satisfies the constitutional requirement that no person shall be deprived of personal liberty save 'in accordance with law'; (ii) The exclusion of child offenders from the review mechanisms provided under the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023 and the Revision of Sentence of Death and Imprisonment for Natural Life (Temporary Jurisdiction of the Federal Court) Act 2023, which allow adults to commute death sentences to determinate prison terms, does not violate art. 8 of the FC; (iii) Child offenders have exclusive statutory avenues for release not available to adults. Specifically, s. 97(4) and (5) of the CA and the Prison Regulations 2000 provide for yearly reviews by the Board of Visiting Justices.

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Sentence – Review – Application to review sentence under r. 137 of Rules of the Federal Court 1995 – Child offenders convicted of murder, drug trafficking and kidnapping – Sentenced to detention at pleasure of Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Ruler or Yang di-Pertua Negeri under s. 97(2) of Child Act 2001 – Whether detention indefinite and without remedy – Whether introduction of Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023 and Revision of Sentence of Death and Imprisonment for Natural Life (Temporary Jurisdiction of the Federal Court) Act 2023 created 'special circumstances' – Whether there was violation of arts. 5(1) and 8 of Federal Constitution – Whether alternative remedies available to applicants

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: Fundamental liberties – Right to life and personal liberty – Detention of child offenders at pleasure of Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Ruler or Yang di-Pertua Negeri – Whether s. 97(2) of Child Act 2001 violated art. 5(1) of Federal Constitution – Whether sentence passed in accordance with laws – Whether deprivation of liberty lawful

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: Fundamental liberties – Equality – Equal protection of law – Discrimination – Detention of child offenders at pleasure of Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Ruler or Yang di-Pertua Negeri – Comparison between child offenders and adult offenders – Whether exclusion of child offenders from Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023 and Revision of Sentence of Death and Imprisonment for Natural Life (Temporary Jurisdiction of the Federal Court) Act 2023 discriminatory – Whether based on reasonable classification and intelligible differentia – Whether rational relation to object of rehabilitation and re-assimilation – Federal Constitution, art. 8

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW: Judicial review – Power of pardon – Prerogative of Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Ruler or Yang di-Pertua Negeri – Whether decisions on pardon and duration of detention under s. 97(2) of Child Act 2001 justiciable – Federal Constitution, art. 42