Johor Sultan shows clemency
> Ruler grants amnesty to 11 prisoners facing death sentence
JOHOR BARU: Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has granted amnesty for 11 death row prisoners in conjunction with his coronation today.
The prisoners who escaped the gallows will now serve life imprisonment.
State Secretary Datuk Ismail Karim, who made the announcement, said those who escaped the gallows were:
three death row inmates convicted under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 who will now serve life imprisonment (up to 20 years);
four under Section 3 of the Firearms Act 1971 – three of them will serve life imprisonment (up to 20 years) while another life imprisonment until death; and
three who were convicted for murder and will serve life imprisonment until death.
Ismail said another was a juvenile who was granted a pardon.
“All the convicts had an audience with the Sultan on March 19.
“They repented for the crimes they committed and thanked the Sultan for giving them a second chance at life,” he added.
Besides the Sultan, who is the chairman of the Johor Amnesty Board, those who sit in the board are Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and three others.
About 60,000 people are expected for the coronation celebration-cum-parade.
Sultan Ibrahim will be crowned the fifth Johor Ruler of the modern era at Istana Besar, four years after ascending to the throne, and his consort Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah will be conferred the title Permaisuri of Johor.
Meanwhile, the capital city has taken on a carnival-like atmosphere with LED lights and lamps in various colours as it prepares to mark the event.
Billboards with the words “Daulat Tuanku” have been placed in various spots in the city to congratulate the Sultan.
A number of events and exhibitions will also be held to add to the festive spirit.
Among these is a free music festival from Thursday till Sunday in Danga Bay with performances by local and international artistes.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah, as well as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, will be among the VIPs attending the ceremony.
Brunei ruler Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong are among foreign dignitaries expected to attend.