Malaysia introduces mandatory death for terror Sun Mar 18, 4:21 AM ET

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Malaysia has introduced a new tough anti-terror law under which convicted terrorists and those who fund them face the mandatory death penalty, a report said Sunday.

The Sunday Star newspaper said the new law came into effect on March 6. A minister declined to comment on the report.

Under the law, those convicted of acts of terrorism that cause death and those convicted of giving financial aid to such terrorists would meet the same fate, it said. The death sentence in Malaysia is carried out by hanging.

If there is no death, the convicted persons would be liable to a jail sentence of between seven and 30 years.

The new law defines terrorist acts as providing devices, training facilities as well as harbouring terrorists and intentionally not giving information about the terrorists.

Malaysia already has a controversial draconian security law, the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows for indefinite detention without trial.

Malaysia is currently holding over 100 people in detention under the act, more than 80 of whom are described as suspected Islamic militants.