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Malayan Law Journal Reports/1994/Volume 1/PUBLIC PRO!CU"OR # PU$% C&!$ C&OO$ ' (1994) 1
MLJ *++ ' 1, January 1994
1+ pages
(1994) 1 MLJ *++
PUBLIC PROSECUTOR v PUNG CHEN CHOON
SUPREME COURT (KUALA LUMPUR)
ABDUL HAMID OMAR LP, GUNN CHIT TUAN(MALAYA) CJ, DGAR JOSEPH JR, EUSOFF CHIN AND
MOHAMED DZAIDDIN SCJJ
CRIMINAL REFERENCE NO 1 OF 1993
17 J!"#$ 199%
Constitutional Law -- Fundamental liberties -- Freedom of speech and expression -- Whether s 8A of the
Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 imposed restrictions on the freedom of speech and
expression -- Whether constitutional -- Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 s 8A
Constitutional Law -- Fundamental liberties -- Freedom of speech and expression -- Restrictions in s 8A of
the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 -- Whether pre-censorship and therefore unconstitutional
-- Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 s 8A
Constitutional Law -- Fundamental liberties -- Freedom of speech and expression -- alicious publication of
false news -- Whether detrimental to internal securit! and public order
"#idence -- $urden of proof -- %resumption -- Constitutional #alidit! of s 8A of the Printing Presses and
Publications Act 1984 -- Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 s 8A
&tatutor! 'nterpretation -- Construction of statutes -- Constitutionalit! of pro#isions -- Approach courts will
ta(e
"-e a..use/ was prose.ute/ 0n t-e Mag0strates1 Court at 2ota 20na3alu4 upon t-e .-arge o5 mal0.0ously
pu3l0s-0ng 5alse news 0n )he $orneo ail /ate/ 1+ July 19964 an o55en.e un/er s 7891: o5 t-e P#&!'&!(
P#)**)* an/ P"+,&-'&.!* A-' 1974 91t-e 8.t1:; 8t t-e .lose o5 t-e .ase 5or t-e prose.ut0on4 t-e /e5en.e -a/
ra0se/ t-e <uest0on w-et-er s 78 o5 t-e 8.t 0mposes restr0.t0ons on t-e r0g-t to 5ree/om o5 spee.- an/
e=press0on 0n #0olat0on o5 art 1691:9a: an/ 92:9a: o5 t-e >e/eral Const0tut0on 91t-e Const0tut0on1: an/ was
t-ere5ore #o0/ un/er art 491:; "-e mag0strate 3e0ng sat0s50e/ t-at t-e <uest0on o5 law ra0se/ 3y t-e /e5en.e
.on.erne/ t-e e55e.t o5 .erta0n pro#0s0ons o5 t-e Const0tut0on4 namely4 art 1691:9a: an/ 92:9a:4 /0re.te/ t-at t-e
pro.ee/0ngs 3e5ore -0m 3e staye/ an/ a re.or/ t-ereo5 3e transm0tte/ to t-e &0g- Court pursuant to t-e
pro#0s0ons o5 s ?6 o5 t-e Courts o5 Ju/0.ature 8.t 19+4; "-e &0g- Court @u/ge /e.0/e/ to re5er t-e 5ollow0ng
5our <uest0ons o5 law to t-e upreme Court 5or 0ts /eterm0nat0on 3y way o5 a spe.0al .ase 0n a..or/an.e w0t-
rr ?? an/ ?4 o5 t-e Rules o5 t-e upreme Court 1976A
1) B-et-er s 7891: o5 t-e 8.t rea/ w0t- s 7892:4 0mposes restr0.t0ons on t-e r0g-t to 5ree/om o5
spee.- an/ e=press0on .on5erre/ 3y art 1691:9a: o5 t-e Const0tut0onC
1994 1 L* +,, at +,-
1) I5 so4 w-et-er t-e restr0.t0on 0mpose/ 0s one perm0tte/ 3y or un/er art 1692:9a: o5 t-e
Const0tut0on;
1) B-et-er s 7891: o5 t-e 8.t4 rea/ w0t- s 7892:4 0s .ons0stent w0t- art 1691:9a: an/ 92:9a: o5 t-e
Const0tut0on an/ t-ere5ore4 #al0/;
Page ?
1) B-et-er s 7892: o5 t-e 8.t4 3y presum0ng 5alse news per se to 3e mal0.0ous4 amounts to pre'
.ensors-0p an/ a..or/0ngly4 .ontra#enes art 1691:9a: an/ 92: o5 t-e Const0tut0on;
H),/4 rem0tt0ng t-e .ase to t-e mag0strate w0t- a /0re.t0on to pro.ee/ w0t- t-e -ear0ngA
2) It 0s .learly 3eyon/ argument t-at s 7891: o5 t-e 8.t /oes 0mpose restr0.t0ons on t-e r0g-t to
5ree/om o5 spee.- an/ e=press0on .on5erre/ 3y art 1691:9a: o5 t-e Const0tut0on;
2) It 0s .lear law t-at t-ere 0s a strong presumpt0on o5 t-e .onst0tut0onal #al0/0ty o5 t-e 0mpugne/
se.t0on an/ so t-e 3ur/en o5 proo5 l0es on t-e party seeD0ng to esta3l0s- t-e .ontrary;
>urt-ermore4 w-ere a law purports to aut-or0Ee restr0.t0ons 0n language w0/e enoug- to .o#er
restr0.t0ons 3ot- w0t-0n an/ w0t-out t-e perm0ss03le l0m0ts o5 leg0slat0#e a.t0on4 0t .annot 3e
up-el/4 not e#en so 5ar as 0t 0s appl0e/ w0t-0n t-e .onst0tut0onal l0m0ts4 5or 0t 0s 0mposs03le to apply
t-e pr0n.0ple o5 se#era30l0ty; &owe#er4 0t 0s well settle/ t-at 05 .erta0n pro#0s0ons o5 law .onstrue/
0n one way woul/ maDe t-em .ons0stent w0t- t-e Const0tut0on4 an/ anot-er 0nterpretat0on woul/
ren/er t-em un.onst0tut0onal4 t-e .ourt woul/ lean 0n 5a#our o5 t-e 5ormer .onstru.t0on;
2) In /e.0/0ng w-et-er a part0.ular p0e.e o5 leg0slat0on 5alls w0t-0n t-e or30t o5 t-e perm0tte/
restr0.t0ons4 .ons0/erat0on must 3e g0#en to t-e <uest0on w-et-er su.- law 0s /0re.te/ at a .lass
o5 a.ts too remote 0n t-e .-a0n o5 relat0on to t-e su3@e.ts enumerate/ un/er art 1692:9a:; In
ot-er wor/s4 t-e o3@e.ts o5 t-e 0mpugne/ law must 3e su550.0ently .onne.te/ to t-e su3@e.ts
enumerate/ un/er art 1692:9a:; "-e .onne.t0on .ontemplate/ must 3e real an/ pro=0mate4 not
5ar'5et.-e/ or pro3lemat0.al;
2) 8lt-oug- 0t 0s true t-at not all 5alse news e#en 05 mal0.0ously pu3l0s-e/ woul/ 5all w0t-0n t-e or30t
o5 t-e perm0tte/ restr0.t0ons enumerate/ un/er art 1692:9a: o5 t-e Const0tut0on4 t-e mal0.0ous
pu3l0.at0on o5 5alse news .oul/4 0nter al0a4 0n.0te a.ts w-0.- t-reaten t-e 0nternal se.ur0ty o5 t-e
.ountry4 un/erm0ne Malays0a1s 5r0en/ly relat0ons w0t- ot-er .ountr0es4 lea/ to a /0stur3an.e o5
pu3l0. or/er an/ 0n.0te t-e .omm0ss0on o5 o55en.es; "-ere5ore4 s 78 o5 t-e 8.t .oul/ 3e
supporte/ as 5all0ng w0t-0n t-e 3oun/ar0es o5 perm0ss03le restr0.t0ons 0n art 1692:9a: o5 t-e
Const0tut0on an/ was #al0/;
1) e.t0on 7892: o5 t-e 8.t 0s merely a re#ersal o5 onus pro#0s0on w-0.- ar0ses 05 t-e prose.ut0on
are a3le to pro#e t-at t-e news pu3l0s-e/ 0s 5alse an/ t-at t-e a..use/ was 0ts pr0nter4
pu3l0s-er4 e/0tor or wr0ter; "-ere5ore4 s 7892: 3e0ng a statutory presumpt0on w-0.- operates at
t-e tr0al stage 0n or/er to ass0st t-e prose.ut0on
1994 1 L* +,, at +,8
3y presum0ng mal0.e upon proo5 o5 t-e 5als0ty o5 t-e news pu3l0s-e/4 .an 0n no way 3e e<uate/
w0t- pre'.ensors-0p w-0.-4 05 0t taDes pla.e4 .an only /o so 3e5ore pu3l0.at0on; e.t0on 7892:
/oes not-0ng to restr0.t 5ree/om o5 t-e press e0t-er /0re.tly or 0n/0re.tly; On t-e .ontrary4 3y
pro#0/0ng 5or t-e re3uttal o5 t-e presumpt0on o5 mal0.e upon proo5 3y t-e a..use/ t-at -e -a/
taDen reasona3le measures to #er05y t-e trut- o5 t-e news .on.erne/ 3e5ore 0ts pu3l0.at0on4 0t
promotes an/ ensures t-at 5ree/om o5 t-e press 0s ne0t-er a3use/ nor e=plo0te/;
( B0* M,$*& *"11#$
"ertu/u- tela- /0/aDwa /0 Ma-Dama- Ma@0stret /0 2ota 20na3alu4 atas tu/u-an mener30tDan 3er0ta palsu
/engan n0at @a-at /0 )he $orneo ail yang 3ertar0D- 1+ Jula0 19964 suatu Desala-an /0 3awa- s 7891: 8Dta
Mes0n CetaD /an Pener30tan 1974 918Dta 0tu1:; Pa/a penutup Des p0-aD pen/aDwa4 p0-aD pem3elaan tela-
men0m3ulDan soalan sama a/a s 78 8Dta 0tu mengenaDan seDatan atas -aD De3e3asan 3er.aDap /an
mengeluarDan 50D0ran 0a0tu suatu pelanggaran perDara 1691:9a: /an 92:9a: Perlem3agaan PerseDutuan
91Perlem3agaan 0tu1: /an ole- 0tu a/ala- t0/aD sa- /0 3awa- perDara 491:; Ma@0stret 3erpuas -at0 3a-awa
soalan un/ang'un/ang yang /0t0m3ulDan ole- p0-aD pem3elaan 3erDenaan /engan Desan peruntuDan'
peruntuDan tertentu /0 /alam Perlem3agaan 0tu4 0a0tu perDara 1691:9a: /an 92:9a:4 /an tela- memer0nta-Dan
supaya pros0/0ng /0 -a/apan 3el0au 0tu /0gantung /an suatu reDo/ mengena0nya /0-antar Depa/a Ma-Dama-
"0ngg0 meng0Dut peruntuDan s ?6 8Dta Ma-Dama- 2e-aD0man 19+4; &aD0m Ma-Dama- "0ngg0 mem3uat
Page 4
Deputusan untuD meru@uD empat soalan un/ang'un/ang 3er0Dut Depa/a Ma-Dama- 8gung untuD
Deputusannya melalu0 suatu 1.ase state/1 meng0Dut DD ?? /an ?4 2ae/a-'2ae/a- Ma-Dama- 8gung 1976A
3) ama a/a s 7891: 8Dta 0tu /03a.a /engan s 7892:4 mengenaDan seDatan atas -aD 3er.aDap
/an mengeluarDan 50D0ran yang /0Durn0aDan ole- perDara 1691:9a: Perlem3agaan 0tu;
3) J0Da ya4 sama a/a seDatan yang /0DenaDan 0tu merupaDan suatu seDatan yang /03enarDan ole-
atau /0 3awa- perDara 1692:9a: Perlem3agaan 0tu;
3) ama a/a s 7891: 8Dta 0tu4 /03a.a /engan s 7892:4 Dons0sten /engan perDara 1691:9a: /an 92:
9a: Perlem3agaan 0tu /an ole- 0tu a/ala- sa-;
3) ama a/a s 7892: 8Dta 0tu4 /engan menganggap 3er0ta palsu per se 3ern0at @a-at4 ter@umla-
Depa/a pra'penap0san4 /an /engan /em0D0an4 melanggar perDara 1691:9a: an/ 92:
Perlem3agaan 0tu;
D&2"'"*3!4 meng-antar Des 0tu Depa/a ma@0stret /engan suatu ara-an supaya menerusDan pen/engaran
0tuA
4) Jelas t0/aD 3ole- /0pert0Da0Dan lag0 3a-awa s 7891: 8Dta 0tu mengenaDan seDatan De atas
De3e3asan 3er.aDap /an
1994 1 L* +,, at +,9
mengeluarDan 50D0ran yang /0Durn0aDan ole- perDara 1691:9a: Perlem3agaan 0tu;
4) 8/ala- men@a/0 un/ang'un/ang mantap 3a-awa ter/apat suatu anggapan Duat 3a-awa
seDsyen yang /0persoalDan 0tu sa- /0 s0s0 perlem3agaan4 @a/0 3e3an mem3uDt0 terletaD atas
p0-aD yang 0ng0n menun@uDDan se3al0Dnya; Lag0pun4 /0 mana sesuatu un/ang'un/ang 3ertu@uan
mem3enarDan seDatan /engan menggunaDan 3a-asa yang .uDup luas untuD mel0put0 seDatan
yang terletaD /0 /alam /an /0 luar -a/ t0n/aDan 3a/an perun/angan yang /03enarDan4 0a t0/aD
3ole- /0perta-anDan walaupun 0a /0paDa0 meng0Dut -a/ perlem3agaan4 Derana a/ala- musta-0l
untuD menggunaDan pr0ns0p De3ole- as0ngan; "etap04 a/ala- mantap 3a-awa @0Da peruntuDan
un/ang'un/ang tertentu /0ta5s0rDan meng0Dut satu .ara aDan mem3uatDannya Dons0sten
/engan Perlem3agaan 0tu /an suatu ta5s0ran yang la0n aDan mem3uatDannya t0/aD
3erperlem3agaan4 ma-Dama- aDan .en/erung mem0-aD Depa/a ta5s0ran yang pertama;
4) 8pa30la memutusDan sama a/a suatu un/ang'un/ang tertentu termasuD /alam or30t seDatan
yang /03enarDan4 pert0m3angan mest0 /03er0Dan Depa/a soalan sama a/a un/ang'un/ang 0tu
/0tu@uDan Depa/a suatu Delas t0n/aDan yang terlalu /0 luar /ugaan /alam rangDa0an -u3ungan
/engan perDara yang /0se3ut /0 /alam perDara 1692:9a:; Falam perDataan la0n4 o3@eD un/ang'
un/ang yang /0persoalDan 0tu mest0 mempunya0 -u3ungan se.uDupnya /engan perDara yang
/0se3ut /alam perDara 1692:9a:; &u3ungan yang /050D0rDan 0tu mest0 3enar /an langsung4
3uDannya t0/aD masuD aDal atau menyusa-Dan;
4) MesD0pun 0anya 3enar 3a-awa 3uDan semua 3er0ta palsu walaupun /0ter30tDan /engan n0at
@a-at aDan ter@atu- /alam or30t seDatan yang /03enarDan yang /0se3ut /alam perDara 1692:9a:
Perlem3agaan 0tu4 pener30tan 3er0ta palsu /engan n0at @a-at mungD0n4 antara la0n4 mengap0Dan
per3uatan yang men@e@asDan Deselamatan /alam neger04 melema-Dan -u3ungan persa-a3atan
Malays0a /engan negara la0n4 mem3awa Depa/a pengganguan Detenteraman awam /an
mengap0Dan per3uatan melaDuDan @enaya-; Ole- 0tu4 s 78 8Dta 0tu 3ole- /0perta-anDan
se3aga0 ter@atu- /alam l0ngDungan seDatan yang /03enarDan /0 /alam perDara 1692:9a:
Perlem3agaan 0tu /an a/ala- sa-;
2) eDsyen 7892: 8Dta 0tu semata'matanya suatu peruntuDan yang mem3al0DDan 3e3an mem3uDt0
yang t0m3ul @0Da p0-aD pen/aDwa /apat mem3uDt0Dan 3a-awa 3er0ta yang /0ter30tDan 0tu a/ala-
palsu /an tertu/u- merupaDan pen.etaD4 pener30t4 penyunt0ng atau penul0snya; Ole- 0tu4 s
7892: yang merupaDan suatu anggapan statutor0 yang 3eroperas0 pa/a per0ngDat per30.araan
untuD mem3antu p0-aD pen/aDwa /engan menganggap @a-at n0at apa30la Depalsuan 3er0ta
yang /0ter30tDan 0tu /03uDt0Dan4 t0/aD 3ole- /0samaDan /engan pra'penap0san4 yang @0Da 0anya
3erlaDu4 -anya 3ole- 3erlaDu se3elum pener30tan; eDsyen 7892: t0/aD menyeDat
1994 1 L* +,, at +-.
Page *
De3e3asan aD-3ar sama a/a se.ara langsung atau t0/aD langsung; e3al0Dnya4 /engan
mem3uat peruntuDan untuD pemata-an anggapan n0at @a-at apa30la tertu/u- mem3uDt0Dan
3a-awa 3el0au tela- mengam30l langDa- munasa3a- untuD menentusa-Dan 3er0ta 3erDenaan
se3elum pener30tannya4 0a menggalaDDan /an memast0Dan supaya De3e3asan aD-3ar t0/aD
/0sala-guna atau /0eDsplo0tas0Dan;)
N.')*
>or .ases on 5un/amental l03ert0es4 see ? allal/s 0i1est 94t- !/: paras *+2'*,?;

C*)* #)4)##)/ '.
$ennett Coleman # 2nion of 'ndia A'R 19,? C 16,
"xpress 3ewspapers %te Ltd 4 Anor # 2nion of 'ndia A'R (19*9) CR 12G 19*7 C *,7
&a(al %apers %te Ltd 4 5rs # 2nion of 'ndia A'R 19+2 C ?6*
Romesh )happar # &tate of adras A'R 19*6 C 124
Leonard 6ector # A-7 of Anti1ua and $arbuda 4 5rs (1996) 2 BLR +6+G (1996) 2 8C ?12G (1996) 2 8ll !R
16?
0ewan 2ndan1an 3e1eri 8elantan 4 Anor # 3ordin bin &alleh 4 Anor (1992) 1 MLJ +9,
ian $ashir Ahmad 4 5rs # &tate of *ammu and 8ashmir 4 5rs A'R (1972) Jammu H 2as-m0r 2+
Ram &in1h # the &tate of 0elhi A'R 19*1 C 2,6
Assa &in1h # entri $esar of *ohore (19+9) 2 MLJ ?6
%% # %aram Cumaraswam! (197+) 1 MLJ *12
7o#ernment of &tate of 8elantan # 7o#ernment of the Federation of ala!a and )un(u Abdul Rahman %utra
Al-6a9 (19+?) MLJ ?**
Loh 8ooi Choon # 7o#ernment of ala!sia (19,,) 2 MLJ 17,
%% # 5oi 8ee &ai( 4 5rs (19,1) 2 MLJ 167
Ade1benro # A(intola (19+?) ? BLR +?G (19+?) 8C +14
%% # 0atu( 6arun bin 6a9i 'dris 4 5rs (19,+) 2 MLJ 11+
8ader 3ath &in1h # $ihar A'R (19+2) 9upp 2: C ,+9
R # &olan(e (19+9) ? 8ll !R 1?7?G (19,6) 1 BLR 1
Ram9i Lal odi # &tate of 2ttar %radesh A'R 19*, C +26
%% # 5h 8en1 &en1 (19,9) 2 MLJ 1,4
%emban1unan aha urni &dn $hd # *urus Ladan1 &dn $hd (197+) 2 MLJ ?6
8anu $iswas # the &tate of West $en1al A'R 19,2 C 1+*+
8ishori ohan $era # the &tate of West $en1alA'R 19,2 C 1,49
&( 8edar # &tate of West $en1al A'R 19,2 C 1+4,
$ri9 $husan # &tate of 0elhi A'R 19*6 C 129
1994 1 L* +,, at +-1
L)(&*,'&.! #)4)##)/ '.
>e/eral Const0tut0on arts 492:93:4 1691:9a:4 92:9a:
Page +
P#&!'&!( P#)**)* an/ P"+,&-'&.!* A-' 1974 s 78
In/0an Const0tut0on art 1991: (In/)
A22), 4#.1
Cr0m0nal Re5eren.e $o 62 o5 1991 9&0g- Court4 2ota 20na3alu:
0ato/ &tanle! 'saacs :Won1 8ian 8heon1 with him; :0eput! %ublic %rosecutor; 5or t-e appellant;
Chon1 8ah 8iat :&helle! <ap Leon1 )seu Chon1 Chia 4 Co; 5or t-e respon/ent;
EDGAR JOSEPH JR SCJ(DELI5ERING THE JUDGMENT OF THE COURT)
"-0s was a Re5eren.e to t-e upreme Court 3y way o5 a pe.0al Case 0n a..or/an.e w0t- rr ?? an/ ?4 o5 t-e
Rules o5 t-e upreme Court 1976 3y ye/ 8-ma/ I/0/ J o5 t-e &0g- Court4 Borneo4 s0tt0ng 0n 2ota 20na3alu4
un/er t-e pro#0s0ons o5 s 4791: o5 t-e Courts o5 Ju/0.ature 8.t 19+4; "-e <uest0ons asDe/ 0n t-e Re5eren.e
were t-eseA
91: B-et-er s 7891: o5 t-e P#&!'&!( P#)**)* an/ P"+,&-'&.!* A-' 1974 rea/ w0t- s 7892:4 0mposes
restr0.t0ons on t-e r0g-t to 5ree/om o5 spee.- an/ e=press0on .on5erre/ 3y art 1691:9a: o5 t-e >e/eral
Const0tut0onC
92: I5 so4 w-et-er t-e restr0.t0on 0mpose/ 0s one perm0tte/ 3y or un/er art 1692:9a: o5 t-e >e/eral
Const0tut0onC
9?: B-et-er s 7891:4 rea/ w0t- s 7892:4 0s .ons0stent w0t- art 1691:9a: an/ 92:9a: o5 t-e >e/eral
Const0tut0on an/ t-ere5ore4 #al0/C
94: B-et-er s 7892:4 3y presum0ng 5alse news per se to 3e mal0.0ous4 amounts to pre'.ensors-0p an/
a..or/0ngly4 .ontra#enes art 1691:9a: an/ 92: o5 t-e >e/eral Const0tut0on;
In t-0s @u/gment4 unless t-e .onte=t ot-erw0se re<u0res4 we s-all4 5or t-e saDe o5 3re#0ty an/ .on#en0en.e4
re5er to t-e P#&!'&!( P#)**)* an/ P"+,&-'&.!* A-' 1974 an/ to t-e >e/eral Const0tut0on as 1t-e 8.t1 an/
1t-e Const0tut0on14 respe.t0#ely;
Be5ore em3arD0ng upon a .ons0/erat0on o5 t-e <uest0ons o5 law a5oresa0/4 0t w0ll 3e /es0ra3le to set out t-e
.ourse w-0.- t-e pro.ee/0ngs -a/ taDen;
"-e a..use/4 Pung C-en C-oon4 was prose.ute/ 0n t-e Mag0strates1 Court at 2ota 20na3alu4 3e5ore t-e 50rst
.lass mag0strate4 Mr P Ra#0nt-ran4 upon t-e 5ollow0ng .-argeA
"-at you on 1+ July 1996 at a3out 7am 0n 2ota 20na3alu4 a3a-4 as e/0tor o5 a newspaper )he $orneo ail was
.-arge/ 5or mal0.0ously pu3l0s-0ng 5alse news 0n )he $orneo ail /ate/ 1+ July 19964 0e a pr0est4 Ben@am0n Bas0ntol4
-a/ 3een arreste/ un/er t-e Internal e.ur0ty 8.t 19+64 one Roman Cat-ol0. pr0est4 3ase/ 0n 2en0ngau4 0s on t-e run
5rom pol0.e arrest an/ se#eral more ot-er pr0ests are also un/erstoo/ to 3e on t-e wante/ l0st4 an/ t-at you -a#e
t-ere3y .omm0tte/
1994 1 L* +,, at +-=
an o55en.e un/er s 7891: o5 t-e P#&!'&!( P#)**)* an/ P"+,&-'&.!* A-' 1974 9Re# 197,: an/ pun0s-a3le un/er t-e
same 8.t;
8t t-e .lose o5 t-e .ase 5or t-e prose.ut0on4 t-e /e5en.e -a/ ra0se/ t-e <uest0on w-et-er s 78 o5 t-e 8.t
0mposes restr0.t0ons on t-e r0g-t to 5ree/om o5 spee.- an/ e=press0on 0n #0olat0on o5 art 1691:9a: an/ 92:9a: o5
t-e Const0tut0on an/ was t-ere5ore #o0/ un/er art 491:;
"o put t-e matter 0n perspe.t0#e4 t-e pro#0s0ons o5 t-e 8.t an/ t-e Const0tut0on w-0.- 0t woul/ 3e .on#en0ent
to set out are s 7891:4 92: an/ 9?: o5 t-e 8.t an/ art 1691:9a: an/ 92:9a: o5 t-e Const0tut0on; "-ese pro#0s0ons
rea/ as 5ollowsA
Page ,
97:a91: B-ere 0n any pu3l0.at0on t-ere 0s mal0.0ously pu3l0s-e/ any 5alse news4 t-e pr0nter4 pu3l0s-er4
e/0tor an/ t-e wr0ter t-ereo5 s-all 3e gu0lty o5 an o55en.e an/ s-all4 on .on#0.t0on4 3e l0a3le to
0mpr0sonment 5or a term no e=.ee/0ng t-ree years or to a 50ne not e=.ee/0ng twenty t-ousan/ r0ngg0t
or to 3ot-;
92: >or t-e purposes o5 t-0s se.t0on4 mal0.e s-all 3e presume/ 0n /e5ault o5 e#0/en.e s-ow0ng t-at4
pr0or to pu3l0.at0on4 t-e a..use/ tooD reasona3le measures to #er05y t-e trut- o5 t-e news;
9?: $o prose.ut0on 5or an o55en.e un/er t-0s se.t0on s-all 3e 0n0t0ate/ w0t-out t-e .onsent 0n wr0t0ng o5
t-e Pu3l0. Prose.utor;
1691: ;;;
9a: e#ery .0t0Een -as t-e r0g-t to 5ree/om o5 spee.- an/ e=press0onG ;;;
92: Parl0ament may 3y law 0mpose '
9a: on t-e r0g-ts .on5erre/ 3y paragrap- 9a: o5 Clause 91:4 su.- restr0.t0ons as 0t /eems ne.essary or
e=pe/0ent 0n t-e 0nterest o5 t-e se.ur0ty o5 t-e >e/erat0on or any part t-ereo54 5r0en/ly relat0ons w0t-
ot-er .ountr0es4 pu3l0. or/er or moral0ty an/ restr0.t0ons /es0gne/ to prote.t t-e pr0#0leges o5
Parl0ament or o5 any Leg0slat0#e 8ssem3ly or to pro#0/e aga0nst .ontempt o5 .ourt4 /e5amat0on4 or
0n.0tement to any o55en.eG ;;;
"-e mag0strate 3e0ng sat0s50e/ t-at t-e <uest0on o5 law ra0se/ 3y t-e /e5en.e .on.erne/ t-e e55e.t o5 .erta0n
pro#0s0ons o5 t-e Const0tut0on4 namely4 art 1691:9a: an/ 92:9a:4 /0re.te/ t-at t-e pro.ee/0ngs 3e5ore -0m 3e
staye/ an/ a re.or/ t-ereo5 3e transm0tte/ to t-e &0g- Court pursuant to t-e pro#0s0ons o5 s ?6 o5 t-e Courts
o5 Ju/0.ature 8.t 19+44 w0t- a #0ew to t-e0r /eterm0nat0on;
B-en t-e matter .ame up 3e5ore ye/ 8-ma/ I/0/ J4 -0s Lor/s-0p4 a5ter .on5err0ng w0t- t-e /eputy pu3l0.
prose.utor an/ .ounsel 5or t-e a..use/4 /e.0/e/ to re5er t-e 5our <uest0ons o5 law a5oresa0/ to t-e upreme
Court 5or 0ts /eterm0nat0on;
6")*'&.! 1
Unl0De t-e >0rst 8men/ment to t-e Const0tut0on o5 t-e Un0te/ tates o5 8mer0.a4 w-0.- maDes e=press
re5eren.e to t-e 5ree/om o5 t-e press4 t-e Const0tut0on o5 Malays0a says not-0ng a3out t-e 5ree/om o5 t-e
press; "-e rele#ant port0on o5 art 1991: o5 t-e In/0an Const0tut0on says t-0sA 18ll .0t0Eens s-all -a#e t-e r0g-tA
9a: to 5ree/om o5 spee.- an/ e=press0onG ;;;1;
1994 1 L* +,, at +->
$e#ert-eless4 a .ons0stent .urrent o5 @u/0.0al op0n0on 0n In/0a -as esta3l0s-e/ t-e propos0t0on t-at art 1991:9a:
0n.lu/es w0t-0n 0ts am30t t-e 5ree/om o5 t-e press; 9ee4 eg $ennett Coleman # 2nion of 'ndia4 1 "xpress
3ewspapers %te Ltd 4 Anor # 2nion of 'ndia4 2&a(al %apers %te Ltd 4 5rs # 2nion of 'ndia; ?: B0t- t-0s
propos0t0on we agree an/ 0n/ee/ 3e5ore us no attempt -a/ 3een ma/e 3y sen0or 5e/eral .ounsel to argue t-e
.ontrary;
Be must now a//ress t-0s <uest0on; "-e go#ernment o5 t-0s .ountry -as always re.ogn0Ee/ t-e 0mportant
0n5luen.e w-0.- t-e press e=erts on t-e pu3l0. m0n/4 espe.0ally 0n t-e area o5 pol0t0.s4 an/ un/erstan/a3ly4
t-ere5ore4 0t -as ena.te/ laws w-0.- -a#e 0mpose/ w0/e .ontrol o#er pu3l0.at0ons generally; 8 goo/ e=ample
o5 t-0s 0s t-e 8.t4 w-0.- .onsol0/ates two p0e.es o5 pr0or leg0slat0on4 namely4 t-e P#&!'&!( P#)**)* 8.t 1947
an/ t-e Control o5 Importe/ P"+,&-'&.!* A-' 19*7; 8 <u0.D looD at t-e 8.t w0ll lea#e one 0n no /ou3t t-at 0t
/oes 0mpose restr0.t0ons o#er pu3l0.at0ons 0n general; More part0.ularly4 0t 0s .lear 3eyon/ argument4 an/
0n/ee/4 sen0or 5e/eral .ounsel /0/ not attempt to argue to t-e .ontrary4 t-at s 7891: o5 t-e 8.t /oes 0mpose
restr0.t0ons on t-e r0g-t to 5ree/om o5 spee.- an/ e=press0on .on5erre/ 3y art 1691:9a: o5 t-e Const0tut0on;
Be t-ere5ore answere/ t-0s <uest0on 0n t-e a550rmat0#e;
6")*'&.!* 7 !/ 3
It woul/ 3e more .on#en0ent to .ons0/er t-ese <uest0ons toget-er as t-e answer to Iuest0on ? woul/4 0n our
#0ew4 3e .onse<uent0al to t-e answer to Iuest0on 2;
Be5ore us4 0t was .onten/e/ 3y .ounsel 5or t-e a..use/ t-at t-e .ru= o5 -0s .ase was t-at s 7891:4 rea/ w0t- s
7892: o5 t-e 8.t4 .learly 0mposes a 3lanDet restr0.t0on aga0nst t-e pu3l0.at0on o5 5alse news4 w0t-out spe.05y0ng
or l0m0t0ng 0ts s.ope to w0t-0n any o5 t-e perm0ss03le restr0.t0ons un/er art 1692:9a: o5 t-e Const0tut0on; In ot-er
Page 7
wor/s4 s 7891: 0mposes a restr0.t0on aga0nst t-e pu3l0.at0on o5 all 5alse news 0rrespe.t0#e o5 w-et-er su.-
5alse news .omes w0t-0n any o5 t-e perm0ss03le restr0.t0ons spe.050e/ un/er art 1692:9a: o5 t-e Const0tut0on;
In support o5 -0s .ontent0ons4 .ounsel 5or t-e a..use/ -a/ /0re.te/ our attent0on4 0nter al0a4 to t-e 5ollow0ng
aut-or0t0esA Romesh )happar # &tate of adras 4 w-ere Patan@al0 astr0 J 9as -e t-en was: 0n /el0#er0ng t-e
ma@or0ty @u/gment at p 12, para 7 sa0/4 0nter al0a4 t-0sA
It was sa0/ t-at an ena.tment w-0.- pro#0/e/ 5or /rast0. reme/0es l0De pre#ent0#e /etent0on an/ 3an on newspapers
must 3e taDen to relate to matters a55e.t0ng t-e se.ur0ty o5 t-e tate rat-er t-an tr0#0al o55en.es l0De ras- /r0#0ng or any
a55ray; But w-ate#er en/s t-e 0mpugne/ 8.t may -a#e 3een 0nten/e/ to su3ser#e4 an/ w-ate#er a0ms 0ts 5armers may
-a#e -a/ 0n #0ew4 0ts appl0.at0on an/ s.ope .annot4 0n t-e a3sen.e o5 l0m0t0ng wor/s 0n t-e statute 0tsel54 3e restr0.te/ to
t-ose aggra#ate/ 5orms o5 pre@u/0.0al a.t0#0ty w-0.- are .al.ulate/ to en/anger t-e se.ur0ty o5 t-e tate; $or 0s t-ere
any guarantee t-at t-ose aut-or0Ee/ to e=er.0se t-e powers un/er t-e 8.t w0ll 0n us0ng t-em /0s.r0m0nate 3etween t-ose
w-o a.t pre@u/0.0ally to t-e se.ur0ty o5 t-e tate an/ t-ose w-o /o not;
1994 1 L* +,, at +-4
8n/ 5urt-er /own4 at p 129 para 1? -e sa0/ t-0sA
B-ere a law purports to aut-or0Ee t-e 0mpos0t0on o5 restr0.t0ons on a 5un/amental r0g-t 0n language w0/e enoug- to
.o#er restr0.t0ons 3ot- w0t-0n an/ w0t-out t-e l0m0ts o5 .onst0tut0onally perm0ss03le leg0slat0#e a.t0on a55e.t0ng su.- r0g-t 0t
0s not poss03le to up-ol/ 0t e#en so 5ar as 0t may 3e appl0e/ w0t-0n t-e .onst0tut0onal l0m0ts4 as 0t 0s not se#era3le; o long
as t-e poss030l0ty o5 0ts 3e0ng appl0e/ 5or purposes not san.t0one/ 3y t-e Const0tut0on .annot 3e rule/ out4 0t must 3e
-el/ to 3e w-olly un.onst0tut0onal an/ #o0/; In ot-er wor/s4 .l 92: o5 art 19 -a#0ng allowe/ t-e 0mpos0t0on o5 restr0.t0ons
on t-e 5ree/om o5 spee.- an/ e=press0on only 0n .ases w-ere /anger to pu3l0. se.ur0ty 0s 0n#ol#e/4 an ena.tment4
w-0.- 0s .apa3le o5 3e0ng appl0e/ to .ases w-ere no su.- /anger .oul/ ar0se4 .annot 3e -el/ to 3e .onst0tut0onal an/
#al0/ to any e=tent; Leonard 6ector # A-7 of Anti1ua and $arbuda 4 5rs * w-ere Lor/ Br0/ge sa0/ t-0s at p +11CA
I54 on t-e ot-er -an/4 a part0.ular 5alse statement alt-oug- l0Dely to un/erm0ne pu3l0. .on50/en.e 0n t-e .on/u.t o5 pu3l0.
a55a0rs 0s not l0Dely to /0stur3 pu3l0. or/er4 a law w-0.- maDes 0t a .r0m0nal o55en.e .annot 3e reasona3ly re<u0re/ 0n t-e
0nterests o5 pu3l0. or/er 3y re5eren.e to t-e remote an/ 0mpro3a3le .onse<uen.es t-at 0t may poss03ly /o so; "-e0r
Lor/s-0ps are /r0#en 0ne=ora3ly to t-e .on.lus0on t-at t-e wor/s 0n s ??B (o5 t-e Pu3l0. Or/er 8.t 19,2) 1or to
un/erm0ne pu3l0. .on50/en.e 0n t-e .on/u.t o5 pu3l0. a55a0rs1 o55en/ aga0nst t-e Const0tut0on an/ .annot t-ere5ore -a#e
any e55e.t; 9!mp-as0s pro#0/e/;: 0ewan 2ndan1an 3e1eri 8elantan # 3ordin + w-ere 83/ul &am0/ Omar LP sa0/4 0nter
al0a4 t-0s at p ,11BA 1It 0s a=0omat0. t-at t-e -0g-est o5 mot0#es an/ t-e 3est o5 0ntent0ons are not enoug- to /0spla.e
.onst0tut0onal o3sta.les ;;;14 an/ later4 at p ,12B4 -0s Lor/s-0p 0n appro#0ng t-e m0nor0ty op0n0on /el0#ere/ 3y Fr 8nan/ 0n
ian $ashir Ahmad 4 5rs # &tate of *ammu and 8ashmir 4 5rs , sa0/A
"-e most pert0nent po0nt o5 -0s Lor/s-0p1s @u/gment on t-e .orre.t approa.- to a/opt 0n /eterm0n0ng w-et-er t-e
0mpugne/ leg0slat0on #0olates t-e 5un/amental r0g-ts guarantee/ un/er art 1991:9.: o5 t-e Const0tut0on was t-at 9at p *9
para 161:A
1"-e leg0slat0on .an 3e4 o5 .ourse4 stru.D /own 05 0t /0re.tly 0n5r0nges t-e 5un/amental r0g-ts o5 a
leg0slator 3ut 0t .an also 3e stru.D /own 05 t-e 0ne#0ta3le .onse<uen.es o5 t-e leg0slat0on 0s to pre#ent
t-e e=er.0se o5 t-e 5un/amental r0g-ts guarantee/ un/er art 1991:9.: or to maDe t-e e=er.0se o5 t-at
r0g-t J0ne55e.t0#e or 0llusoryJ;1
>0rst o5 all4 0t 0s 0nterest0ng to note ' alt-oug- not-0ng turns on t-0s 0n t-e present .ase ' t-at art 1691:9a:4 93:
an/ 9.: .an only 3e rel0e/ upon to 0mpugn leg0slat0on directl! /es0gne/ to restr0.t t-e R0g-t guarantee/
t-ere0n; It 0s t-ere5ore not ne.essary t-at leg0slat0on w-0.- incidentall! restr0.ts t-ose R0g-ts must 3e @ust050e/
as 5all0ng w0t-0n t-e perm0ss03le restr0.t0ons .ontemplate/ 3y .ll 92:''94: 0n art 16; o4 5or e=ample4 any law
pro#0/0ng 5or 0mpr0sonment 3y way o5 pun0s-ment 5or t-e .omm0ss0on o5 a part0.ular a.t or any law pro#0/0ng
5or pre#ent0#e /etent0on4 o5 ne.ess0ty results 0n t-e e.l0pse or a restr0.t0on o5 all or most o5 t-e R0g-ts
enun.0ate/ 0n art 1691:
1994 1 L* +,, at +-+
3ut t-at /oes not ent0tle a person aga0nst w-om su.- a law 0s en5or.e/ to .onten/ t-at -0s R0g-ts un/er art
1691: -a#e 3een restr0.te/ 5or some purpose outs0/e t-e perm0ss03le restr0.t0ons .ontemplate/ 3y .ll 2'4 0n
art 164 05 t-e restr0.t0on 0s 0n.0/ental; &e may only so .onten/ 05 t-e penal law or t-e pre#ent0#e /etent0on law
.on.erne/ 0s a0me/ at directl! restr0.t0ng any one or more o5 -0s R0g-ts guarantee/ un/er art 1691:; 9ee4 eg
Ram &in1h # the &tate of 0elhi; 7: B-et-er or not -e 0s .orre.t 0n -0s .ontent0ons w0ll4 o5 .ourse4 /epen/
upon t-e part0.ular .0r.umstan.es o5 ea.- .ase;
Page 9
Be s-oul/ l0De to maDe 0t .lear4 -owe#er4 t-at art 1691: assumes t-at t-e .0t0Een to w-om t-e R0g-ts set out
t-ere0n are guarantee/ reta0ns t-e personal l03erty upon w-0.- t-e en@oyment o5 su.- R0g-ts /epen/sG 054
t-ere5ore4 -e 0s /epr0#e/ o5 -0s personal l03erty 3y /ue pro.ess o5 law4 no <uest0on o5 -0s en5or.0ng su.-
R0g-ts .an ar0se;
"-e se.on/ general o3ser#at0on we s-oul/ l0De to maDe 0s t-at t-e 50rst .lause o5 art 16 enumerates t-e t-ree
R0g-ts a#a0la3le to .0t0Eens onlyG namely4 t-e R0g-t to 5ree/om o5 spee.- an/ e=press0on4 t-e R0g-t to
assem3le pea.ea3ly an/ w0t-out arms4 an/ t-e R0g-t to 5orm asso.0at0ons;
"-en 5ollow t-ree ot-er .lauses sett0ng out t-e perm0ss03le restr0.t0ons; Inso5ar as restr0.t0ons on t-e R0g-t to
5ree/om o5 spee.- an/ e=press0on 0s .on.erne/4 .l 92:9a: o5 art 16 perm0ts restr0.t0ons on t-0s R0g-t 3y laws
as Parl0ament /eems ne.essary or e=pe/0ent relat0ng to matters un/erm0n0ng t-e se.ur0ty o5 t-e >e/erat0on
or any part t-ereo54 5r0en/ly relat0ons w0t- ot-er .ountr0es4 pu3l0. or/er or moral0ty or relat0ng to /e5amat0on4
0n.0tement to any o55en.e4 .ontempt o5 .ourt4 pr0#0leges o5 Parl0ament or o5 any leg0slat0#e assem3ly;
Clearly4 t-ere5ore4 0n Malays0a4 t-e pos0t0on o5 t-e .ourt w-en .ons0/er0ng an 0n5r0ngement o5 t-0s R0g-t 0s
/055erent 5rom t-at o5 t-e pos0t0on o5 t-e .ourt 0n In/0a w-en .ons0/er0ng an 0n5r0ngement o5 t-e e<u0#alent
R0g-t un/er t-e In/0an Const0tut0on;
B0t- regar/ to In/0a4 t-e In/0an Const0tut0on re<u0res t-at t-e restr0.t0ons4 e#en 05 w0t-0n t-e l0m0ts pres.r03e/4
must 3e 1reasona3le1 ' an/ so t-at .ourt woul/ 3e un/er a /uty to /e.0/e on 0ts reasona3leness; But4 w0t-
regar/ to Malays0a4 w-en 0n5r0ngement o5 t-e R0g-t o5 5ree/om o5 spee.- an/ e=press0on 0s allege/4 t-e
s.ope o5 t-e .ourt1s 0n<u0ry 0s l0m0te/ to t-e <uest0on w-et-er t-e 0mpugne/ law .omes w0t-0n t-e or30t o5 t-e
perm0tte/ restr0.t0ons; o4 5or e=ample4 05 t-e 0mpugne/ law4 0n p0t- an/ su3stan.e4 0s a law relat0ng to t-e
su3@e.ts enumerate/ un/er t-e perm0tte/ restr0.t0ons 5oun/ 0n .l 1692:9a:4 t-e <uest0on w-et-er 0t 0s
reasona3le /oes not ar0seG t-e law woul/ 3e #al0/; Moreo#er4 3y .l 92: o5 art 44 0t 0s not a groun/ 5or .-allenge
t-at t-e restr0.t0on /oes not relate to one o5 t-e matters spe.050e/ 0n art 1692:9a: 5or taD0ng a .ase outs0/e t-e
prote.t0on o5 t-at art0.le; 9ee Assa &in1h # entri $esar of *ohore 9 at p ?7;:
"o put 0t anot-er way4 art 492:93: o5 t-e Const0tut0on e=pressly pro-030ts t-e <uest0on0ng o5 t-e #al0/0ty o5 any
law on t-e groun/ t-at su.- a law 10mposes restr0.t0ons as are ment0one/ 0n art 1692: o5 t-e >e/eral
Const0tut0on 3ut t-ose restr0.t0ons were not /eeme/ ne.essary or e=pe/0ent 3y Parl0ament 5or t-e purposes
ment0one/ 0n art 1692:1; 9ee %% # %aram Cumaraswam! 16 at p *1, .ol 2>'%;:
1994 1 L* +,, at +-,
It 5ollows t-at t-e pos0t0on o5 t-e press un/er our Const0tut0on 0s not as 5ree as t-e pos0t0on o5 t-e press un/er
t-e In/0an Const0tut0on an/ more so w-en .ompare/ to t-e pos0t0on o5 t-e press 0n !nglan/ or t-e Un0te/
tates o5 8mer0.a; "-0s4 o5 .ourse4 means t-at t-e In/0an .ases an/ t-e Pr0#y Coun.0l .ase o5 Leonard
6ector # A-7 of Anti1ua and $arbuda 4 5rs * rel0e/ on 3y .ounsel 5or t-e a..use/4 are o5 l0ttle rele#an.e an/
nee/ not 3e /0s.usse/; In say0ng so we are 5ort050e/ 3y w-at "-omson CJ sa0/ 0n 7o#ernment of &tate of
8elantan # 7o#ernment of the Federation of ala!a and )un(u Abdul Rahman %utra Al-6a911 at p ?*7 .ol
1J; B-at -e sa0/ was t-0sA
;;; t-e Const0tut0on 0s pr0mar0ly to 3e 0nterprete/ w0t-0n 0ts own 5our walls an/ not 0n t-e l0g-t o5 analog0es /rawn 5rom
ot-er .ountr0es su.- as %reat Br0ta0n4 t-e Un0te/ tates o5 8mer0.a or 8ustral0a;
Instan.es o5 t-e appl0.at0on o5 t-0s approa.- w-en 0nterpret0ng our >e/eral Const0tut0on are to 3e 5oun/ 0n
Loh 8ooi Choon # 7o#ernment of ala!sia 12 at p 179 .ol 18 an/ %% # 5oi 8ee &ai( 4 5rs 1? at p 11? .ol
2B'C; In/ee/ t-e same po0nt was re.ogn0Ee/ an/ appl0e/ 3y t-e Pr0#y Coun.0l 9per Lor/ Ra/.l055e: 0n
Ade1benro # A(intola14 at p ,?;
In .ons0/er0ng t-0s <uest0on4 we -a/ also Dept 0n t-e 5ore5ront o5 our m0n/s4 on t-e one -an/4 t-e pr0n.0ple
t-at t-e R0g-t to 5ree/om o5 spee.- an/ e=press0on as ens-r0ne/ 0n art 1691:9a: o5 t-e Const0tut0on 0s not
a3solute 3e.ause t-e Const0tut0on aut-or0Ees Parl0ament to 0mpose .erta0n restr0.t0ons4 as 0t /eems
ne.essary4 an/ w-0.- so 5ar as m0g-t 3e mater0al to t-0s Re5eren.e4 are t-e 0nterest o5 se.ur0ty o5 t-e
>e/erat0on or any part t-ereo5 or 5r0en/ly relat0ons w0t- ot-er .ountr0es4 pu3l0. or/er or moral0ty an/4 on t-e
ot-er -an/4 t-e pr0n.0ple t-at any restr0.t0on l0m0t0ng t-e 5un/amental R0g-t o5 5ree spee.- an/ e=press0on not
5all0ng w0t-0n t-e 5our walls o5 art 1692:9a:4 .annot 3e #al0/;
Page 16
Be must now em3arD upon a .ons0/erat0on o5 w-at .ounsel 5or t-e a..use/ was please/ to /es.r03e as 1t-e
.ru=1 o5 -0s .ase an/ w-0.- was t-at s 7891: rea/ w0t- s 7892: o5 t-e 8.t 0mposes a 3lanDet restr0.t0on aga0nst
t-e pu3l0.at0on o5 all 5alse news w0t-out spe.05y0ng or l0m0t0ng 0ts s.ope to w0t-0n any o5 t-e perm0ss03le
restr0.t0ons un/er art 1692:9a: o5 t-e Const0tut0on; >or 3re#0ty an/ .on#en0en.e4 we s-all re5er to t-0s
.ontent0on o5 .ounsel as 1t-e 3lanDet restr0.t0on po0nt1;
>0rst o5 all4 0t 0s .lear law t-at t-ere 0s a presumpt0on ' per-aps e#en a strong presumpt0on ' o5 t-e
.onst0tut0onal #al0/0ty o5 t-e 0mpugne/ se.t0on an/ so t-e 3ur/en o5 proo5 l0es on t-e party seeD0ng to
esta3l0s- t-e .ontrary; 9ee %% # 0atu( 6arun bin 6a9i 'dris 4 5rs; 1*:
e.on/ly4 we en/orse t-e propos0t0on t-at4 w-ere a law purports to aut-or0Ee restr0.t0ons 0n language w0/e
enoug- to .o#er restr0.t0ons 3ot- w0t-0n an/ w0t-out t-e perm0ss03le l0m0ts o5 leg0slat0#e a.t0on4 0t .annot 3e
up-el/4 not e#en so 5ar as 0t 0s appl0e/ w0t-0n t-e .onst0tut0onal l0m0ts4 5or 0t 0s 0mposs03le to apply t-e pr0n.0ple
o5 se#era30l0ty; 9ee Romesh )happer # &tate of adras; 4: But we -asten to a// t-at we a/-ere to t-e
pr0n.0ple enun.0ate/ 3y t-e upreme Court o5 In/0a 0n 8ader 3ath &in1h # $ihar 1+4 t-at 0t 0s well settle/ t-at
05 .erta0n pro#0s0ons o5 law .onstrue/ 0n one way woul/ maDe t-em .ons0stent w0t- t-e Const0tut0on4 an/
anot-er
1994 1 L* +,, at +--
0nterpretat0on woul/ ren/er t-em un.onst0tut0onal4 t-e .ourt woul/ lean 0n 5a#our o5 t-e 5ormer .onstru.t0on;
&a#0ng sa0/ t-at4 we -a/ to go 5urt-er an/ .ons0/er t-e pro#0s0ons o5 t-e 8.t generally4 an/ s 7891: 0n
part0.ular4 to /eterm0ne w-et-er t-e 0mpugne/ law was w0t-0n t-e per0meters o5 t-e perm0ss03le restr0.t0ons
en#0sage/ 3y art 1692:; In so /o0ng4 we were o5 t-e #0ew t-at 0t was 0mposs03le to lay /own an a3stra.t
stan/ar/ appl0.a3le to all .ases; It woul/ 3e t-e /uty o5 t-e .ourt to .ons0/er ea.- 0mpugne/ law separately4
regar/ 3e0ng -a/ to t-e nature o5 t-e R0g-t allege/ to -a#e 3een 0n5r0nge/4 t-e un/erly0ng purpose o5 t-e
restr0.t0on4 t-e e=tent an/ t-e urgen.y o5 t-e e#0l soug-t to 3e reme/0e/4 not 5orgett0ng t-e pre#a0l0ng
.on/0t0ons o5 t-e t0me; Be -asten to a// t-at 0t 0s not t-at t-e mean0ng o5 t-e wor/s 0n t-e 0mpugne/ law
.-anges w0t- t-e pre#a0l0ng .on/0t0ons o5 t-e t0me 3ut t-at t-e .-ang0ng .0r.umstan.es 0llustrate an/
0llum0nate t-e 5ull 0mport o5 t-at mean0ng;
It was w0t- t-e a3o#e pr0n.0ples 0n m0n/ t-at we turne/ to .ons0/er t-e 3lanDet restr0.t0on po0nt a/#an.e/ 3y
.ounsel 5or t-e a..use/;
Be regret we .oul/ not agree t-at s 7891: e#en 05 rea/ w0t- s 7892:4 0mposes a 3lanDet restr0.t0on aga0nst t-e
pu3l0.at0on o5 all 5alse news;
It was o3#0ous t-at pu3l0.at0ons 0nten/e/ to 3e -0t 3y s 7891: o5 t-e 8.t were onl! t-ose w-ere0n were
maliciousl! pu3l0s-e/ any 5alse news; In ot-er wor/s4 t-e mere pu3l0.at0on o5 5alse news 0n any pu3l0.at0on 0s
not an o55en.e un/er s 7892:; "o 3e so4 t-e 5alse news must -a#e 3een mal0.0ously pu3l0s-e/;
Be /0/ not .ons0/er 0t ne.essary 5or purposes o5 t-e present Re5eren.e to /eterm0ne w-at element o5 mens
rea 0s re<u0re/ to 3e pro#e/ 5or an o55en.e un/er s 7891:; &owe#er4 we woul/ remarD t-at a <u0.D looD at t-e
8.t s-ows t-at t-e wor/ 1mal0.0ously1 0s now-ere /e50ne/ t-ere0n4 3ut we t-0nD 0t woul/ not 3e 0n.orre.t to say
t-at t-e wor/ 1mal0.0ously1 0n t-e .onte=t o5 s 7891:4 3ears 0ts or/0nary mean0ng 0n 8.ts .reat0ng .r0m0nal
o55en.es4 namely4 w0l5ully or 0ntent0onally an/ w0t-out law5ul e=.use; 9ee R # &olan(e 1, at p 1?74;:
Be /o not .ons0/er 0t strange t-at 5or a pr0nter4 pu3l0s-er4 e/0tor or wr0ter to mal0.0ously pu3l0s- any 5alse
news 0n any pu3l0.at0on 0s a wrong5ul a.t an/4 pr0ma 5a.0e4 so w0.De/ an/ 0n-erently l0Dely to 5all w0t-0n t-e
perm0ss03le restr0.t0ons /e50ne/ 0n art 1692:9a:4 t-at 0t s-oul/ 3e ma/e a .r0me un/er s 7891: o5 t-e 8.t;
&owe#er4 w-et-er 0t /oes amount to su.- a .r0me 0n a part0.ular .ase must /epen/ upon t-e part0.ular
.0r.umstan.es o5 t-at .ase;
8s 5or t-e presumpt0on un/er s 7891: t-at mal0.e s-all 3e presume/ 0n /e5ault o5 e#0/en.e s-ow0ng t-at pr0or
to pu3l0.at0on4 an a..use/ -a/ taDen reasona3le measures to #er05y t-e trut- o5 t-e news4 t-0s 0s merely a
re#ersal o5 onus pro#0s0on4 /es0gne/ to ass0st t-e prose.ut0on 0n esta3l0s-0ng a .ase to answer4 054 3ut only 054
0t 0s pro#e/ t-at t-e news .on.erne/ 0s 5alse; It /oes not rel0e#e t-e .ourt o5 t-e /uty o5 -a#0ng to 3e sat0s50e/4
at t-e .lose o5 t-e .ase 5or t-e /e5en.e4 t-at t-e element o5 mal0.e w0t-0n t-e mean0ng o5 s 7891:4 -as 3een
esta3l0s-e/ 3eyon/ all reasona3le /ou3t; It was t-ere5ore 0n.orre.t 5or .ounsel to -a#e praye/ 0n a0/ s 7892:
0n support o5 -0s su3m0ss0on t-at s 7891: 0mpose/ .r0m0nal l0a30l0ty 0n respe.t o5 t-e pu3l0.at0on o5 all 5alse
news 0n #0olat0on o5 art 1691:9a: o5 t-e Const0tut0on;
Page 11
1994 1 L* +,, at +-8
In .ons0/er0ng w-et-er t-e 0mpugne/ s 7891: .omes w0t-0n t-e or30t o5 t-e perm0tte/ restr0.t0ons set out 0n .l
1692:9a: o5 t-e Const0tut0on4 on t-e R0g-t to 5ree/om o5 t-e press4 0t 0s ne.essary 5or t-e .ourt to /eterm0ne
w-et-er t-0s 0mpugne/ pro#0s0on 0s 0n p0t- an/ substance a law passe/ 3y Parl0ament to restr0.t su.- R0g-t
as Parl0ament /eems ne.essary or e=pe/0ent 10n t-e 0nterest o51 t-e se.ur0ty o5 t-e >e/erat0on or any part
t-ereo5G 5r0en/ly relat0ons w0t- ot-er .ountr0esG pu3l0. or/er or moral0ty or t-e 0mpugne/ pro#0s0on 0s 0n p0t-
an/ su3stan.e a law 1to pro#0/e aga0nst1 .ontempt o5 .ourt4 /e5amat0on or 0n.0tement to any o55en.e;
By .l 92:9a: o5 art 164 .-allenge to any law 0s restr0.te/ 3y art 492:93: w-0.- saysA 1"-e #al0/0ty o5 any law s-all
not 3e <uest0one/ on t-e groun/ t-at 0t 0mposes su.- restr0.t0ons as are ment0one/ 0n 8rt0.le 1692: 3ut t-ose
restr0.t0ons were not /eeme/ ne.essary or e=pe/0ent 3y Parl0ament 5or t-e purposes ment0one/ 0n t-at
8rt0.le;1 "-0s means t-at 0t 0s not open to any .ourt to en<u0re 0nto t-e <uest0on w-et-er Parl0ament /eems or
/oes not /eem anyt-0ng; $e#ert-eless4 as -as 3een aptly put 3y Pro5 L8 -er0/an an/ Pro5 &arry ! %ro#es
0n t-e0r 3ooD on t-e Constitution of ala!sia 94t- !/: at pp ,4 an/ ,44 a law w-0.- purports to -a#e 3een
passe/ un/er .l 92: 0s open to .-allenge on t-e groun/ t-at 0t 0s not in an! of the interests set out in the
clause s0n.e any ot-er4 more e=tens0#e mean0ng to 3e ass0gne/ to art 492:93: woul/ ren/er art 1692: ot0ose;
Be regret4 t-ere5ore4 t-at we .annot a..e/e to t-e su3m0ss0on o5 t-e sen0or 5e/eral .ounsel t-at our .ourts
are pre.lu/e/ 3y art 492:93: o5 t-e Const0tut0on 5rom <uest0on0ng t-e #al0/0ty o5 s 78 o5 t-e 8.t on.e su.- a
pro#0s0on 0s passe/ 10n t-e 0nterest o51 any su3@e.t'matter enumerate/ 0n t-e 50rst part o5 art 1692:9a: or on.e
su.- a pro#0s0on 0s /es0gne/ 1to prote.t or pro#0/e aga0nst1 any su3@e.t'matter enumerate/ 0n t-e se.on/ part
t-ereo5;
Be must now re#ert to t-e 3lanDet restr0.t0on po0nt a/#an.e/ 3y .ounsel 5or t-e a..use/ w-0.-4 0t w0ll 3e
re.alle/ was t-at 3e.ause s 7891: o5 t-e 8.t 0mpose/ a 3lanDet restr0.t0on on t-e pu3l0.at0on o5 all 5alse news
' we woul/ 0nterpolate4 more .orre.tly ' t-e malicious pu3l0.at0on o5 all 5alse news ' w0t-out <ual05y0ng t-e
s.ope o5 su.- news4 0t #0olate/ t-e R0g-t .on5erre/ 3y art 1691:4 s0n.e not all 5alse news e#en 05 pu3l0s-e/
mal0.0ously4 woul/ 3e aga0nst t-e 0nterests o5 t-e se.ur0ty o5 t-e >e/erat0on4 pu3l0. or/er4 moral0ty or any o5
t-e ot-er perm0tte/ restr0.t0ons set out 0n art 1692:9a:;
In our #0ew4 as we -a#e earl0er 0n/0.ate/4 t-e pos0t0on w-0.- we tooD 0n .ons0/er0ng t-0s part o5 t-e .ase was
w-et-er t-e 0mpugne/ law ' 0n t-0s .ase4 s 7891: ' .ame w0t-0n t-e or30t o5 t-e perm0tte/ restr0.t0ons; I54
t-ere5ore4 s 7891: was 0n p0t- an/ su3stan.e a law 5all0ng un/er one o5 t-e 0nterests enumerate/ un/er art
1692:9a:4 t-e <uest0on w-et-er 0ts pro#0s0ons were reasona3le /0/ not ar0seG 0t 9s 7891:: woul/ 3e #al0/; It
5ollows4 t-ere5ore4 t-at 0n t-0s regar/4 t-e .ourt -as a l0m0te/ power o5 @u/0.0al re#0ew to t-e e=tent t-at 0t 0s
ent0tle/ to /e.0/e w-et-er s 7891: 0n5r0nges t-e R0g-t to 5ree/om o5 spee.- an/ e=press0on enun.0ate/ 0n art
1691:9a:;
"-e /0550.ulty w-0.- 5a.e/ .ounsel 5or t-e a..use/ was t-at alt-oug- a .ourt 0s ent0tle/ to /e.0/e t-e <uest0on
w-et-er a part0.ular p0e.e o5 leg0slat0on 5alls w0t-0n t-e or30t o5 t-e 0nterests enumerate/ un/er art 1692:9a:4 05
t-e law 0s /0re.te/ at a .lass o5 a.ts 0n t-e 0nterests o54 say4 pu3l0. or/er4 t-ere
1994 1 L* +,, at +-9
0s aut-or0ty 5or say0ng t-at 0t /oes not #0olate t-e R0g-t enun.0ate/ 0n art 1691:9a: e#en 05 some o5 t-e a.ts
may not lea/ to pu3l0. /0sor/er; 9ee Ram9i Lal odi # &tate of 2ttar %radesh; 17:
"-e part0.ular passage 0n t-e @u/gment o5 R Fas CJ w-o was speaD0ng 5or t-e upreme Court 0n Ram9i Lal
odi 174 to w-0.- we s-oul/ l0De to re5er 0s as 5ollowsA
Learne/ .ounsel t-en s-05te/ -0s groun/ an/ 5ormulate/ -0s o3@e.t0on 0n a sl0g-tly /055erent way; Insults to t-e rel0g0on or
t-e rel0g0ous 3el0e5s o5 a .lass o5 .0t0Eens o5 In/0a4 may4 says learne/ .ounsel4 lea/ to pu3l0. /0sor/ers 0n some .ases4
3ut 0n many .ases t-ey may not /o so an/4 t-ere5ore4 a law w-0.- 0mposes restr0.t0ons on t-e .0t0Eens1 5ree/om o5
spee.- an/ e=press0on 3y s0mply maD0ng 0nsult to rel0g0on an o55en.e w0ll .o#er 3ot- #ar0et0es o5 0nsults4 0e t-ose w-0.-
may lea/ to pu3l0. /0sor/ers as well as t-ose w-0.- may not; "-e law 0n so 5ar as 0t .o#ers t-e 50rst #ar0ety may 3e sa0/
to -a#e 3een ena.te/ 0n t-e 0nterests o5 pu3l0. or/er w0t-0n t-e mean0ng o5 .l 92: o5 art 194 3ut 0n so 5ar as 0t .o#ers t-e
rema0n0ng #ar0ety w0ll not 5all w0t-0n t-at .lause; "-e argument t-en .on.lu/es t-at so long as t-e poss030l0ty o5 t-e law
3e0ng appl0e/ 5or purposes not san.t0one/ 3y t-e Const0tut0on .annot 3e rule/ out4 t-e ent0re law s-oul/ 3e -el/ to 3e
un.onst0tut0onal an/ #o0/; Be are una3le4 0n #0ew o5 t-e language use/ 0n t-e 0mpugne/ se.t0on4 to a..e/e to t-0s
argument; In t-e 50rst pla.e .l 92: o5 art 19 prote.ts a law 0mpos0ng reasona3le restr0.t0ons on t-e e=er.0se o5 t-e r0g-t to
5ree/om o5 spee.- an/ e=press0on 10n t-e 0nterests o5 pu3l0. or/er14 w-0.- 0s mu.- w0/er t-an 15or ma0ntenan.e o51 pu3l0.
or/er; I54 t-ere5ore4 .erta0n a.t0#0t0es -a#e a ten/en.y to .ause pu3l0. /0sor/er4 a law penal0E0ng su.- a.t0#0t0es as an
Page 12
o55en.e .annot 3ut 3e -el/ to 3e a law 0mpos0ng reasona3le restr0.t0on 10n t-e 0nterests o5 pu3l0. or/er1 alt-oug- 0n some
.ases t-ose a.t0#0t0es may not a.tually lea/ to a 3rea.- o5 pu3l0. or/er;
Be .oul/ t-0nD o5 no /0st0n.t0on 0n pr0n.0ple w-y t-e same test o5 0n5r0ngement o5 t-e R0g-t o5 5ree/om o5
spee.- an/ e=press0on enun.0ate/ un/er art 1691:9a:4 s-oul/ not 3e appl0e/ w-en .ons0/er0ng w-et-er a
part0.ular p0e.e o5 leg0slat0on .omes w0t-0n t-e or30t o5 t-e other perm0tte/ restr0.t0ons;
&a#0ng sa0/ t-at4 we re.ogn0Ee/ t-at 0n /e.0/0ng w-et-er t-e part0.ular p0e.e o5 leg0slat0on 5alls w0t-0n t-e
or30t o5 t-e perm0tte/ restr0.t0ons4 .ons0/erat0on must 3e g0#en to t-e <uest0on w-et-er su.- law 0s /0re.te/ at
a .lass o5 a.ts too remote 0n t-e .-a0n o5 relat0on to t-e su3@e.ts enumerate/ un/er art 1692:9a:; In ot-er
wor/s4 t-e o3@e.ts o5 t-e 0mpugne/ law must 3e su550.0ently .onne.te/ to t-e su3@e.ts enumerate/ un/er art
1692:9a:; "-e .onne.t0on .ontemplate/ must 3e real an/ pro=0mate4 not 5ar'5et.-e/ or pro3lemat0.al;
It 0s true t-at not all 5alse news e#en 05 mal0.0ously pu3l0s-e/ woul/ 5all w0t-0n t-e or30t o5 t-e perm0tte/
restr0.t0ons enumerate/ un/er art 1692:9a: o5 t-e Const0tut0on4 3ut 0t .annot 3e ga0nsa0/ t-at some su.- news
woul/ 3e;
By way o5 0llustrat0on4 sen0or 5e/eral .ounsel ga#e a num3er o5 e=amples 5all0ng w0t-0n t-e latter .ategory an/
t-ese .an4 5or .on#en0en.e4 3e taDen 0n su3stan.e 5rom -0s wr0tten su3m0ss0on;
Regar/0ng t-e power to restr0.t t-0s R0g-t 10n t-e 0nterest o51 the securit! of the Federation or an! part thereof4
0t was sa0/4 an/ we agree/4 t-at t-e
1994 1 L* +,, at +8.
mal0.0ous pu3l0.at0on o5 5alse news .oul/ .ause4 0nter al0a4 -atre/ or /0sa55e.t0on amongst Malays0an people4
w-0.- 0n turn may lea/ to unrest an/ t-0s .oul/ un/erm0ne t-e se.ur0ty o5 t-e >e/erat0on or any part t-ereo5;
0m0larly4 t-e mal0.0ous pu3l0.at0on o5 5alse news may also 0n.0te a.ts or om0ss0ons w-0.- .oul/ /0re.tly or
0n/0re.tly t-reaten t-e 0nternal se.ur0ty o5 t-e .ountry or any part t-ereo5; 9ee %% # 5h 8en1 &en1 19 at p
1,, .ol 28'B;:
Regar/0ng t-e power to restr0.t t-0s R0g-t 10n t-e 0nterest o51 friendl! relations with other countries4 0t was sa0/4
an/ we agree/4 t-at 0t 0s sel5'e#0/ent t-at t-e mal0.0ous pu3l0.at0on o5 5alse news .on.ern0ng anot-er .ountry
.oul/ un/erm0ne Malays0a1s 5r0en/ly relat0ons w0t- su.- .ountry; 9ee %% # 5h 8en1 &en1 19 at p 1,, .ol
2B'C;:
Regar/0ng t-e power to restr0.t t-0s R0g-t 10n t-e 0nterest1 o5 public order4 0t was sa0/4 an/ we agree/4 t-at t-e
mal0.0ous pu3l0.at0on o5 5alse news woul/ ' we woul/ 0nterpolate to remarD t-at 0t woul/ 3e more a..urate to
say not 1woul/1 3ut 1.oul/1 ' lea/ to t-e /0stur3an.e o5 t-e .urrent l05e o5 t-e .ommun0ty so as to amount to
/0stur3an.e o5 pu3l0. or/er; In t-0s .onte=t ' so ran t-e argument ' t-e .ourt .oul/ taDe @u/0.0al not0.e t-at
Malays0an so.0ety 0s mult0ra.0al4 mult0.ultural an/ mult0rel0g0ous; 9ee eg %emban1unan aha urni &dn $hd
# *urus Ladan1 &dn $hd26 at p ?1 .ol 2&'p ?2 .ol 1C;: By way o5 0llustrat0on4 ment0on was ma/e o5 t-e
mal0.0ous pu3l0.at0on o5 5alse news tou.-0ng on sens0t0#e 0ssues w-0.- may .ause /0sa55e.t0on or /0s.ontent
0n a .osmopol0tan so.0ety4 w-0.- 0n turn may lea/ to t-e /0stur3an.e o5 t-e .urrent l05e o5 t-e .ommun0ty
result0ng 0n /0stur3an.e o5 pu3l0. or/er;
Regar/0ng t-e power to restr0.t t-0s R0g-t 10n t-e 0nterest1 o5 public order4 t-e upreme Court o5 In/0a 0n 8anu
$iswas # the &tate of West $en1al4 21 at pp 1+*7'1+*9 sa0/ t-at t-e test to 3e a/opte/ 0n /eterm0n0ng
w-et-er an a.t a55e.ts law an/ or/er or pu3l0. or/er 0sA Foes 0t lea/ to /0stur3an.e o5 t-e .urrent l05e o5 t-e
.ommun0ty so as to amount to /0stur3an.e o5 pu3l0. or/er or /oes 0t a55e.t merely an 0n/0#0/ual lea#0ng t-e
tran<u0l0ty o5 so.0ety un/0stur3e/C o4 also4 0n 8ishori ohan $era # the &tate of West $en1al224 0t was sa0/
t-at t-e true test 0s not t-e D0n/ 3ut t-e potent0al0ty o5 t-e a.t 0n <uest0on; 8n/4 0n &( 8edar # &tate of West
$en1al 2?4 0t was -el/ t-at 0n relat0on to pu3l0. or/er t-e /eterm0nant 5a.tor 0s one o5 /egree an/ t-e e=tent o5
t-e rea.- o5 t-e a.t upon so.0ety an/ not merely t-e nature or <ual0ty o5 t-e a.t;
Be .ons0/ere/ t-at t-e test enun.0ate/ 0n t-e t-ree last ment0one/ .ases /e.0/e/ 3y t-e upreme Court o5
In/0a .oul/ 3e use5ully a/opte/ 0n /eterm0n0ng w-et-er an a.t a55e.ts pu3l0. or/er;
Regar/0ng t-e power to restr0.t t-0s R0g-t 3y law passe/ 3y Parl0ament 1to pro#0/e aga0nst1 defamation un/er
art 1692:9a:4 0t was sa0/4 an/ we agree/4 t-at t-e mal0.0ous pu3l0.at0on o5 5alse news w-0.- /e5ames t-e
reputat0on o5 any Malays0an .0t0Een woul/4 pr0ma 5a.0e4 attra.t .r0m0nal l0a30l0ty un/er s 78 o5 t-e 8.t an/ so4
Page 1?
on t-0s groun/ also4 s 78 .oul/ 3e supporte/ as 5all0ng w0t-0n t-e 3oun/ar0es o5 perm0ss03le restr0.t0on; 9ee
%% # 5h 8en1 &en1 19 at p 1,, .ol 28;:
Regar/0ng t-e power to restr0.t t-0s R0g-t 3y law passe/ 3y Parl0ament 1to pro#0/e aga0nst1 incitement to an!
offence4 un/er art 1692:9a:4 0t was sa0/4
1994 1 L* +,, at +81
an/ we agree/4 t-at t-e mal0.0ous pu3l0.at0on o5 5alse news .oul/ 0n.0te t-e .omm0ss0on o5 an o55en.e an/
so4 on t-0s 5urt-er groun/ also4 s 78 o5 t-e 8.t .oul/ 3e supporte/ as 5all0ng w0t-0n t-e 3oun/ar0es o5
perm0ss03le restr0.t0on;
>or t-e reasons state/4 our answer to Iuest0on 24 was 0n t-e a550rmat0#e an/4 as we -a#e sa0/4 s0n.e
Iuest0on ? ra0se/ a .onse<uent0al 0ssue ar0s0ng 5rom <uest0on 24 our answer to Iuest0on ? -a/4 0ne#0ta3ly4 to
3e also 0n t-e a550rmat0#e;
6")*'&.! %
Our 50rst t-oug-t were t-at t-0s <uest0on /0/ not ar0se -a#0ng regar/ to t-e 0ssues ra0se/ 3y Iuest0ons 1'? an/
so /0/ not re<u0re an answer; &owe#er4 re5le.t0on re#eals t-at we s-oul/ answer t-0s <uest0on as 0t /oes ra0se
a separate an/ /0st0n.t 0ssue o5 pu3l0. 0mportan.e w-0.- arose a.utely 5or /e.0s0on 0n t-e mag0strates1 .ourt
w-ere 0t was argue/ an/ aga0n 3e5ore us w-ere 0t was argue/ more 5ully; Be also note t-at 0n t-e &0g- Court4
t-e @u/ge4 -a/ answere/ t-0s <uest0on aga0nst t-e a..use/4 t-oug- w0t-out t-e 3ene50t o5 -ear0ng arguments;
Moreo#er4 05 .ounsel 5or t-e a..use/ 0s .orre.t 0n -0s .ontent0ons regar/0ng <uest0on 44 0t woul/ 3e a
.omplete answer to t-e .-arge un/er s 7891: o5 t-e 8.t 3e.ause4 0n t-e wor/s o5 Patan@al0 astr0 J 9as -e
t-en was: 0n $ri9 $husan # &tate of 0elhi24 at p 1?4 para 2*A
"-ere .an 3e l0ttle /ou3t t-at t-e 0mpos0t0on o5 pre'.ensors-0p on a @ournal 0s a restr0.t0on on t-e l03erty o5 t-e press
w-0.- 0s an essent0al part o5 t-e r0g-t o5 5ree/om o5 spee.- an/ e=press0on /e.lare/ un/er art 1991:9a:; (!<u0#alent to
our art 1691:9a:;)
8s po0nte/ out 3y Bla.Dstone 0n IV Commentaries at pp 1*1 an/ 1*2A
1t-e l03erty o5 t-e press .ons0sts 0n lay0ng no pre#0ous restra0nt upon pu3l0.at0ons4 an/ not 0n 5ree/om
5rom .ensure 5or .r0m0nal matters w-en pu3l0s-e/; !#ery 5reeman -as an un/ou3te/ r0g-t to lay w-at
sent0ments -e pleases 3e5ore t-e pu3l0.4 to 5or30/ t-0s 0s to /estroy t-e 5ree/om o5 t-e press;1
Be -a#e alrea/y note/ t-at s 7892: o5 t-e 8.t 0s merely a re#ersal o5 onus pro#0s0on w-0.- ar0ses 054 3ut only
054 t-e prose.ut0on are a3le to pro#e at t-e tr0al o5 an a..use/ w-o 0s prose.ute/ 5or an o55en.e un/er s 7891:4
t-at t-e news pu3l0s-e/ 0s 5alse an/ t-at -e was 0ts pr0nter4 pu3l0s-er4 e/0tor or wr0ter;
Clearly4 t-ere5ore4 s 7892: 3e0ng a statutory presumpt0on w-0.- operates at the trial sta1e 0n or/er to ass0st
t-e prose.ut0on 3y presum0ng mal0.e upon proo5 o5 t-e 5als0ty o5 t-e news pu3l0s-e/4 .an 0n no way 3e
e<uate/ w0t- pre'.ensors-0p w-0.-4 05 0t taDes pla.e4 .an only /o so before pu3l0.at0on; e.t0on 7892: /oes
not-0ng to restr0.t 5ree/om o5 t-e press e0t-er /0re.tly or 0n/0re.tly; On t-e .ontrary4 3y pro#0/0ng 5or t-e
re3uttal o5 t-e presumpt0on o5 mal0.e upon proo5 3y t-e a..use/ t-at -e -a/ taDen reasona3le measures to
#er05y t-e trut- o5 t-e news .on.erne/ 3e5ore 0ts pu3l0.at0on ' a stan/ar/ pra.t0.e o5 respons03le @ournal0sts ' 0t
promotes an/ ensures t-at 5ree/om o5 t-e press 0s ne0t-er a3use/ nor e=plo0te/;
1994 1 L* +,, at +8=
It 5ollows4 t-ere5ore4 t-at our answer to t-0s <uest0on s-oul/ 3e 1$o1;
Be a..or/0ngly rem0tte/ t-e .ase to t-e mag0strate w0t- a /0re.t0on to pro.ee/ w0t- t-e -ear0ng t-ereo54
regar/ 3e0ng -a/ to our answers to t-e <uest0ons pose/ 0n t-e Re5eren.e to us;
Be nee/ -ar/ly a//4 s0n.e 0t goes w0t-out say0ng4 t-at t-e mag0strate w0ll -a#e to maDe up -0s own m0n/
w-et-er4 upon t-e e#0/en.e 3e5ore -0m4 t-e o55en.e .-arge/ -as 3een esta3l0s-e/ 3y t-e prose.ut0on
3eyon/ all reasona3le /ou3t;
5rder accordin1l!
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Reporte/ 3y Pro5 8-ma/ I3ra-0m