Double presumptions for drug-trafficking conviction struck down

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has struck down a provision under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (DDA) which allows the use of “double presumptions” to secure the conviction of those accused of drug trafficking.

In a landmark decision, the nine-man bench led by Chief Justice Richard Malanjum declared Section 37A of the DDA unconstitutional as it violated Article 5 (1) read with Article 8 (1) of the Federal Constitution.