Criminal Justice Act 1953

The Criminal Justice Act 1953 (Akta Keadilan Jenayah 1953), previously called the Criminal Justice Ordinance 1953, is a Malaysian law which enacted relating to penal servitude, methods of imprisonment and whipping; and for purposes connected therewith.

Section 3 provides that a sentence of imprisonment for life is deemed as 30 years imprisonment. Previously, a life sentence was deemed to be 20 years until the Act was amended by the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2007. However, there are some Acts (e.g. Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971) that provides for the imprisonment for the duration of the natural life of the person sentenced, notwithstanding Section 3 of the Criminal Justice Act 1953.

Structure
The Criminal Justice Act 1953, in its current form (1 June 2013), consists of 6 sections and no schedule (including 3 amendments), without separate Part.
 * Section 1: Short title and application
 * Section 2: Abolition of penal servitude, rigorous and simple imprisonment
 * Section 3: Life sentences
 * Section 4: Abolition of whipping with cat-o’-nine tails, etc.
 * Section 5: (Omitted)
 * Section 6: (Omitted)