26 Laws of Malaysia ACT 88 Exclusion of public during proceedings 27. In addition and without prejudice to any powers which a court may possess to order the exclusion of the public from any proceedings, if, in the course of proceedings before a court against any person for an offence under this Act or in the course of the proceedings on appeal, or in the course of the trial of a person for an offence under this Act, application is made by the prosecution, on the ground that the publication of any evidence to be given or of any statement to be made in the course of the proceedings would be prejudicial to the safety of Malaysia, that all or any portion of the public shall be excluded during any part of the hearing, the court may make an order to that effect, but the passing of sentence shall in any case take place in public. Criminal liability of corporation or firm 28. Where the person guilty of an offence under this Act is a company or corporation or a member or servant of a partnership or firm, every director and officer of the company or corporation or every member of the partnership or firm, as the case may be, shall be guilty of the like offence unless he proves that the act or omission constituting the offence took place without his knowledge, consent or connivance and that he exercised such diligence to prevent the commission of the offence as he ought to have exercised having regard to the nature of his functions and to all other circumstances. Minister may confer police powers on suitable persons 29. The Minister may confer upon any person whom he deems fit and suitable, the powers of a police officer not below the rank of Inspector for the purposes of this Act. Powers under Criminal Procedure Code not restricted 30. Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to limit or restrict any powers conferred by the Criminal Procedure Code [Act 593].