Don't delay move to abolish mandatory death penalty - Amnesty

SHAH ALAM - Rights group Amnesty International has urged the government to table the necessary amendments on the mandatory death penalty in Parliament immediately.

This follows the government's announcement today that it has agreed to abolish the mandatory death penalty, giving the courts discretion in sentencing.

Amnesty International Malaysia’s executive director Katrina Jorene Maliamauv said the move was a 'welcome step' in the right direction.

“We applaud the government’s decision to abolish the mandatory death penalty and to grant judges discretion in sentencing.

"It’s a welcome step in the right direction, and we urge it to go further and work towards full abolition of this cruel punishment.

“The government should table the necessary amendments in Parliament without delay and establish a full review of all cases involving the mandatory death penalty with a view to commuting these sentences," she said in a statement, today.

She also pointed out that the implementation of the mandatory sentencing has disproportionately harmed the most marginalised and disenfranchised members of the society.

In many instances, she said death penalty has not served as a unique deterrent to crime and it could be seen how its continued implementation has stifled the necessary and visionary work towards enabling fair justice and addressing issues at the root causes.

“The death penalty is also cruel, inhumane and a violation of the right to life. But today’s announcement by the government shows that human rights change is possible, and that the global trend towards abolition remains unstoppable.

"Malaysia’s decision should also set an example for other countries in the region," she added.

Earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Parliament) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar announced that the government has agreed to abolish the mandatory death penalty and substitute sentences at the discretion of the courts.

He said the decision on the matter was reached following his presentation of a report on Substitute Sentences for the Mandatory Death Penalty at the Cabinet Meeting, on Wednesday (June 8).

However, these amendments would still need to be tabled and passed in Parliament before they take effect.

Wan Junaidi has also confirmed that the cabinet has agreed for further scrutiny and study to be carried out on the proposed substitute sentences for 11 offences which carry the mandatory death penalty, an offence under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and 22 offences carrying the death penalty at the discretion of the court.

He said further studies will be conducted in collaboration with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the legal affairs division, the Prime Minister’s Department and other relevant ministries and agencies.