Malaysia legislation

Section 34C

of PAWNBROKERS ACT 1972

Section 34C

(a)

order any person to attend before him for the purpose of being examined orally in relation to any matter which may, in his opinion, assist in the investigation into the offence;

(b)

order any person to produce before him any book, document or any certified copy of such book or document, or any other article which may, in his opinion, assist in the investigation into the offence; or

(c)

by written notice require any person to furnish a statement in writing made on oath or affirmation, setting out in the notice all such information which may be required, being information which, in the opinion of the Inspector or police officer, would be of assistance in the investigation into the offence.

(2)

A person to whom an order under paragraph (1)(a) has been given shall—

(a)

attend, in accordance with the terms of the order, to be examined and shall continue to attend from day to day as directed by the Inspector or police officer until the examination is completed; and

(b)

during such examination, disclose all information which is within his knowledge, or which is available to him, or which is capable of being obtained by him, in respect of the matter in relation to which he is being examined, whether or not any question is put to him with regard to such matter, and where any question is put to him he shall answer the question truthfully and to the best of his knowledge and belief.

(3)

A person to whom an order has been given under paragraph

(1)

(b)

shall not conceal, destroy, alter, remove from or send out of Malaysia, or deal with, expend, or dispose of, any book, document or article specified in the order, or alter or deface any entry in any such book or document, or cause such act to be done, or assist or conspire to do such act.

34

(4)

A person to whom a written notice has been given under paragraph (1)(c) shall, in his written statement made on oath or affirmation, furnish and disclose truthfully all information required under the notice which is within his knowledge, or which is available to him, or which is capable of being obtained by him.

(5)

A person to whom an order or a notice is given under subsection (1) shall comply with such order or notice and with subsection (2), (3) or (4) in relation to the order or notice, but nothing contained in subsection (2), (3) or (4) shall be construed as compelling the person who is being examined under this section to disclose any information, book, document or article which may incriminate him for any offence under this Act or any other written law.

(6)

An Inspector or police officer examining a person under paragraph (1)(a) shall record in writing any statement made by the person and the statement so recorded shall be signed by the person being examined or affixed with his thumbprint as the case may be, after it has been read to him in the language in which he made it and after he has been given an opportunity to make any corrections he may wish, and if such person refuses to sign the record, the

Inspector or police officer shall endorse on the record under his hand the fact of such refusal and the reasons for such refusal, if any, stated by the person being examined.

(7)

The record of an examination under paragraph (1)(a), or a written statement on oath or affirmation made pursuant to paragraph

(1)

(c)

, or any book, document or article produced under paragraph

(1)

(b)

or in the course of an examination under paragraph (1)(a)

or under a written statement on oath or affirmation made pursuant to paragraph (1)(c) shall, notwithstanding any written law or rule of law to the contrary, be admissible in evidence in any proceedings in any court for an offence under this Act, regardless whether such proceedings are against the person who was examined, or who produced the book, document or article, or who made the written statement on oath or affirmation, or against any other person.

(8)

Any person who contravenes subsection (2), (3), (4) or (5)

commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both.

Pawnbrokers 35

Search by warrant