KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Court has dismissed the final appeal of a 22-year-old man who was convicted of killing 23 students in a fire at tahfiz school seven years ago.
A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice, Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat rejected the man's appeal.
Also on the bench were Justices Datuk Seri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim and Datuk Nordin Hassan.
The apex court's decision today follows the man's appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision to uphold the order for him to remain in prison for as long as permitted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Then, the Court of Appeal held that the appellant initiated the fire knowing his actions could "cause bodily harm" to the victims.
The appellant was 16 when he set fire to the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah Tahfiz school in Wangsa Maju in 2017, making him a juvenile offender.
Section 97(1) of the Child Act 2001 states that the death penalty cannot be imposed on juvenile offenders under the age of 18, but the court may impose a prison sentence for as long as permitted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
He was convicted by the High Court on Aug 17, 2020, and has been detained at the pleasure of the King since.