23/11/2025

NATIONAL 5 theSun on Sunday NOV 23, 2025

‘Enough is enough’ echoes as 300 march for missing child

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court is set to hear applications tomorrow by seven former child prisoners convicted of serious offences who are seeking leave to review earlier decisions ordering them to be detained at the pleasure of the Ruler. The applications, filed in March under Rule 137 of the Rules of the Federal Court 1995, contend that their indefinite detention under Section 97(2) of the Child Act 2001 violates Articles 5(1) and 8 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantee personal liberty and equality before the law. The prisoners argue there have been changes to legal provisions that abolished the mandatory death penalty and natural life imprisonment, which have now been replaced with either the death penalty at the court’s discretion or imprisonment of not less than 30 years and not more than 40 years. Their lawyer Abdul Rashid Ismail confirmed both the hearing date and the filing of the applications. In their separate filings, the applicants contend that the change in law abolishing the mandatory death penalty and natural life imprisonment warrants a review and reconsideration of their sentences. They argue they have suffered a significant miscarriage of justice and have no alternative remedy to correct it given the change in the law. The seven prisoners, now aged between 26 and 35, were convicted of murder, kidnapping and drug trafficking offences committed during their teenage years. Because they were minors at the time, they were sentenced to be detained at the pleasure of the Ruler instead of receiving the mandatory death penalty. In their affidavits supporting the applications, they state they have been advised that the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023, which came into force last year, removed the mandatory death penalty and natural life imprisonment. Apex court to review appeals of former child prisoners

Mother requests IGP meet her personally as sit-in drama unfolds outside Bukit Aman

Marina Mahathir, former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and former Malaysian Bar president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan. All urged renewed urgency in locating the missing child. Kulasegaran, who has assisted in the case since its early years, described the prolonged delay as “inexplicable”. “It has taken more than 16 years and we still cannot see results. If a fugitive can move freely, there must be mechanisms. He must be arrested and brought to justice,” he said. Indira’s counsel Rajesh Nagarajan questioned why enforcement had not progressed despite multiple court orders. “We know for a fact that Padmanathan (Indira’s ex husband) is roaming around Malaysia. He is swiping his IC, it is all recorded. He is also receiving Sumbangan Asas Rahmah. “Despite black-and-white proof, police still cannot catch him. Does this make sense?” The march then proceeded towards Bukit Aman, reaching the entrance of the federal police headquarters at about noon. Supporters carrying placards, posters of Prasana and soft toys stood outside while police officers religious belief, stands up for justice. (No religion) condones this kind of behaviour,” she said during the Justice March held yesterday. The march began at the SOGO shopping complex at 11am before the group walked to the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters. Pereira said the public perception now is that despite court orders and former judges and lawyers speaking up, authorities still do not appear capable of tracing the father. She added that the reluctance to act had created “many contradictory forces” in Malaysian society.

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: The march demanding the return of Indira Gandhi’s missing daughter drew Malaysians across age, race and faith lines, from veteran activists to political party representatives and first-time student participants, all united by what they described as a simple principle – a mother’s right to her child. Mary Magdalene Pereira, 58, a retired academic and secretary of Aliran Malaysia, said she had followed the case “from the very beginning”, including through her years in interfaith dialogue work. “This is interfaith dialogue in action. Everyone, irrespective of KUALA LUMPUR: Chants of “Enough is enough, bring back Prasana” echoed along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman yesterday morning as M. Indira Gandhi led a march demanding answers on the whereabouts of her daughter Prasana Diksa, who has been missing since 2009. Holding her daughter’s 16-year-old teddy bear wrapped in pink cloth, Indira walked alongside activists, students, civil society members, mothers and ordinary Malaysians who gathered in solidarity. About 300 participants gathered in front of SOGO mall. Before the march commenced at 11am, a visibly exhausted Indira addressed the crowd. “Where is my daughter? I am tired. I am not young anymore. I will stand here until the IGP (inspector-general of police) meets me and takes this teddy bear meant for Prasana.” Among those who spoke before the march were Ipoh Barat MP and Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Deputy Minister M. Kulasegaran, social activist Datin Paduka

Supporters marching towards Bukit Aman. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ THESUN

With confirmation, organisers initiated a sit-in at 2pm outside Bukit Aman. Arun later contacted Kulasegaran, who intervened directly. “The deputy minister assured us that he will secure an appointment with the IGP. He will also personally attend the meeting,” Arun said, adding that the group agreed to disperse based solely on the assurance. Before leaving, Indira said: “We are not here to protest anyone. We want to work with the police. We only want to know where Prasana is. It has been 16 years. Don’t tell me the IGP cannot even see me for five minutes. Just give me a date.” no would feel grateful. Everyone has a mother. Who doesn’t want to see their child?” For 21-year-old Han, a Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman media student, the march served both as a class assignment and a reality check. “I felt sad when I first read about the case. It’s not just about a mother. It’s about the whole religion issue,” Han said.

facilitated traffic. At about 12.30pm, Senior Assistant Commissioner and head of D11 Datuk Seri Siti Kamsiah Hassan met the organisers on behalf of Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail. The organisers declined the gesture, insisting on a meeting with the IGP. Organiser Arun Dorasamy said they had repeatedly informed police that no intermediary handover would be accepted. Arun added that they were earlier told through reliable sources that the IGP “might” meet them and had asked for “about one hour”, but no further update came. “Many Malaysians speak up for Palestine, but will not say a word about this injustice at home. If police want to improve their credibility, this is the case they must act on.” Also in the crowd was Maziyah Nawi, a representative of the People’s Progressive Party in Putrajaya, who joined the march as a single mother empathising with Indira’s struggle. “It feels unfair. A mother has never met her child since she was a baby. Every mother has that instinct. We just want the daughter to meet her mother. “If the inspector-general of police comes down and listens, I

Public rally renews pressure on case

As such, they argue their indefinite detention requires the intervention of the Federal Court under Rule 137 to prevent injustice.– Bernama RM1.39m in fines through VEP enforcement Participants said their presence was intended to send a single message – a multiracial, multifaith Malaysia is demanding answers and closure for a mother who has waited 16 years. – by Faiz Ruzman

Police probe claim of stray bullet injury GEORGE TOWN: Police are investigating claims that a Belgian woman was injured by a stray bullet while she was at home in her condominium unit in Batu Ferringhi last Monday.

believed to be from the victim, in one of the rooms,” he said in a statement, adding that no bullet or signs of a gunshot were found in the unit. According to the doctor who treated her, the woman suffered a laceration above her eyebrow and the injury is believed to have been caused by a blunt object. No gunshot wounds were found on any part of her body. Azizee said preliminary investigations also revealed several inconsistencies in her statement and further inquiries are being carried out to determine the real cause of the injury. – Bernama

individual and company-owned, who were found either not registered for the VEP, had an expired VEP or whose vehicles were still in pre-registration status. “Owners of these vehicles will be issued a fine and must settle the summons as well as register for a VEP before leaving Malaysia,” RTD said in a statement. Under Section 66J of the Road Transport Act 1987, foreign vehicle owners must settle any fines before leaving Malaysia. Drivers of Singapore-registered vehicles entering the country without a valid VEP also risk being fined RM300. – Bernama

JOHOR BAHRU: The Road Transport Department (RTD) has issued 4,634 summonses involving RM1.39 million under the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) Enforcement Operation at the Malaysia Singapore border from July 1 to last Thursday. RTD said 65,039 Singapore-registered vehicles were inspected during the period at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex, Sultan Iskandar Building, Sultan Abu Bakar Complex and areas around Johor Bahru. The summonses were issued to 4,634 owners or drivers of private vehicles, both

Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said the woman, 67, who holds a Malaysia My Second Home visa, claimed she heard a bang at 5.35am before she was injured. “The victim, who stays with her son, received treatment at a private hospital and was warded for a day before lodging a police report at 11.30am on Thursday. “Investigations at the location by a forensics team found blood splatter,