POOBALAN A/L THANABALASINGAM 1. TIMBALAN MENTERI DALAM NEGERI, MALAYSIA 2. KETUA POLIS NEGARA, MALAYSIA 3. KETUA POLIS NEGERI SEMBILAN 4. KERAJAAN MALAYSIA

POOBALAN A/L THANABALASINGAM 1. TIMBALAN MENTERI DALAM NEGERI, MALAYSIA 2. KETUA POLIS NEGARA, MALAYSIA 3. KETUA POLIS NEGERI SEMBILAN 4. KERAJAAN MALAYSIA

The suspension order (Enclosure 5) was quashed because the investigation officer failed to submit the complete s3(3) report with convenient speed and offered inadequate explanation for the 25‑day delay; those reports are procedural preconditions to valid detention/suspension and their defective preparation/submission vitiates the suspension order, notwithstanding analysis of Article 149 which was considered and distinguished on the facts.

Citation
BA-25-12-01/2020 (Mahkamah Tinggi)
Parties
Applicant: Poobalan a/l Thanabalasingam; First Respondent: Timbalan Menteri Dalam Negeri, Malaysia; Second Respondent: Ketua Polis Negara, Malaysia; Third Respondent: Ketua Polis Negeri Sembilan; Fourth Respondent: Kerajaan Malaysia
Court
High Court
Jurisdiction
Malaysia
Judgment Date
16 November 2020
Case Number
BA-25-12-01/2020 (Mahkamah Tinggi)
Procedural Posture
Judicial Review (semakan Kehakiman) / High Court Judgment (application to Quash Suspension Order)
Outcome
Application allowed; suspension order quashed
Legal Topics
Preventive Detention, Dangerous Drugs (special Preventive Measures) Act 1985, Article 149 Federal Constitution, Procedural Compliance, Delay in Investigation Report, Judicial Review of Detention/suspension
Source Language
Malay/English
Administrative Law Constitutional Law Criminal Law Drug Control Law Preventive Detention Dangerous Drugs (special Preventive Measures) Act 1985 Article 149 Federal Constitution Procedural Compliance +2 more

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Parties

Poobalan a/l Thanabalasingam

Applicant

Timbalan Menteri Dalam Negeri, Malaysia

First Respondent

Ketua Polis Negara, Malaysia

Second Respondent

Ketua Polis Negeri Sembilan

Third Respondent

Kerajaan Malaysia

Fourth Respondent

Procedural Posture

Judicial Review (semakan Kehakiman) / High Court Judgment (application to Quash Suspension Order)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the suspension order made under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985 is ultra vires Article 149 of the Federal Constitution because the applicant allegedly acted alone
  2. 2 Whether the investigation officer breached the duty to submit the complete s3(3) report with convenient speed (25‑day delay) rendering the suspension order invalid

Ratio Decidendi

The suspension order (Enclosure 5) was quashed because the investigation officer failed to submit the complete s3(3) report with convenient speed and offered inadequate explanation for the 25‑day delay; those reports are procedural preconditions to valid detention/suspension and their defective preparation/submission vitiates the suspension order, notwithstanding analysis of Article 149 which was considered and distinguished on the facts.

Court Disposition

Application allowed; suspension order quashed

Orders

  • Certiorari granted to quash suspension order dated 31.10.2019 (Enclosure 5)