High Court upholds KLIA shooter's sentence start date from 2024

The High Court has rejected the appellant's attempt to have his seven-year custodial sentence commence from the date of his arrest in 2024, rather than from the date of sentencing. Justice found that the Session Court's original order determining the sentence start date was made in accordance with established legal principles and afforded the appellant due process.

The shooter, convicted in connection with an incident at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, had sought to reduce the period of his remaining incarceration by having the clock reset to an earlier date. Such applications, which seek to align sentence commencement with arrest dates, are occasionally filed by convicted persons seeking to receive credit for time spent in custody prior to formal sentencing.

The High Court's decision affirms the Session Court's position that the timing and calculation of sentence commencement were properly determined according to legal procedures. The ruling provides clarity on sentencing practices and underscores the courts' consistent application of established jurisprudence in such matters.

With the appeal dismissed, the shooter's seven-year sentence will proceed according to the original court order, and no modification to the sentence start date has been granted.