I REFER to "Sex registry hitch" (Front page, Feb 2). You reported much concern about a convicted sex-offender returning to Malaysia, and that the AG's Chambers is apparently wondering if such a list would violate any privacy considerations under our Privacy Act. Malaysia passed the privacy set of rules in 2010. Act 709 was called Personal Data Protection Act. It was gazetted into effect on Nov 15, 2013.
The rules focus on commercial transactions and not on criminal actions. Nonetheless, every human being has a right for his dignity to be preserved. And, to some degree the rights of personal privacy do apply to normal living and life.
Now, if the person is a convicted sex offender and having served 24 years in jail in Canada; what rights does he still have? As I usually write, I am not trained in legal matters per se, but have some concerns. When non-convicted aliens of the US are now guilty by birth of nationhood; one wonders where the world is heading in terms of dignity of the human race and innocence until proven guilty principle of most systems, except maybe the French Legal System.
The convicted sex-offender paid the price of 24 years incarceration, but the more serious question is if the victims are healed? Can all 1,000 of them forgive him and would they all agree that 24 years is bad enough to punish him?
Therein lies the answer of the risk that the offender, unless totally rehabilitated, may commit even one more offence and that will be one too many!
There is no reason whatsoever not to put him on a public list and for the preservation of the rest of the world and human community. In some extreme criminal cases in some jurisdictions, he may have been even castrated.
Rather than delay, I suggest that this convicted offender be put on some form of surveillance and restricted movement order, as provided for under the law.
KJ John
Petaling Jaya
The rules focus on commercial transactions and not on criminal actions. Nonetheless, every human being has a right for his dignity to be preserved. And, to some degree the rights of personal privacy do apply to normal living and life.
Now, if the person is a convicted sex offender and having served 24 years in jail in Canada; what rights does he still have? As I usually write, I am not trained in legal matters per se, but have some concerns. When non-convicted aliens of the US are now guilty by birth of nationhood; one wonders where the world is heading in terms of dignity of the human race and innocence until proven guilty principle of most systems, except maybe the French Legal System.
The convicted sex-offender paid the price of 24 years incarceration, but the more serious question is if the victims are healed? Can all 1,000 of them forgive him and would they all agree that 24 years is bad enough to punish him?
Therein lies the answer of the risk that the offender, unless totally rehabilitated, may commit even one more offence and that will be one too many!
There is no reason whatsoever not to put him on a public list and for the preservation of the rest of the world and human community. In some extreme criminal cases in some jurisdictions, he may have been even castrated.
Rather than delay, I suggest that this convicted offender be put on some form of surveillance and restricted movement order, as provided for under the law.
KJ John
Petaling Jaya