Malaysia's legal system safeguards the identities of minor children, including Zara Qairina, who are involved in court cases related to bullying. This protection ensures their privacy and well-being.

Former Sabah Infrastructure Development Minister Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

In a recent ruling, the Kuala Lumpur High Court has affirmed the Sessions Court's decision, sentencing former Sabah Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony to three years in prison. This conviction stems from Peter's falsification of documents related to a Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) maintenance and service contract.

The court's decision was read by Justice Datuk Azman Abdullah, who presided over a panel that also included Datuk Noorin Badaruddin and Datuk Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz. The panel dismissed Peter's review application, upholding the initial ruling.

Peter's legal team argued that the Court of Appeal failed to directly address and give proper judicial consideration to a police report, which was admitted by the court despite the witness, Mohd Shukur Mohd Din, having passed away. They contended that the issue of the police report was an afterthought in the court's deliberations.

However, the court's assumption on the police report was supported by the Court of Appeal's full grounds of judgment. The matter regarding Mohd Shukur's police report had been clearly addressed in the appellate court's full judgment, and it was found that there was no miscarriage of justice, as the issue was argued extensively.

Peter initially appealed to the Court of Appeal but lost, prompting him to file the present review application. He later applied to adduce new evidence under Section 61 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 following the discovery of the police report. However, the court found that there was no breach of natural justice in the case, as Peter was accorded the right to be heard at his appeal.

Peter's legal team also argued that the offence was allegedly committed at the office of the principal private secretary to the Prime Minister, but the court did not find this information to be relevant to the case.

Peter's retrial request before the Supreme Court of Malaysia in 2023 was brought forward by Peter Anthony himself. The prison sentence is due to his conviction for falsifying documents related to the UMS maintenance and service contract.