In a landmark decision today, the Court of Appeal has struck out a provision in the Malaysian-Anti Corruption Act 2009 which required an accused person to file his or her defence before trial.

The ruling was made following an appeal by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and businessperson Phang Li Koon to declare Section 62 of the said law ultra vires of Articles 5(1) and 8 of the Federal Constitution.

The three member panel led by Justice Umi Kalthum Abdul Majid unanimously struck out Section 62 and declared it null and void...