KUALA LUMPUR (June 10): Amnesty International Malaysia on Friday applauded the government's decision to abolish the mandatory death penalty.
In a statement, its executive director, Katrina Jorene Maliamauv, said the death penalty is cruel, inhumane, and a violation of the right to life.
"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," said Maliamauv.
"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.
"We have seen and documented time and time again how the use of mandatory sentencing has disproportionately harmed the most marginalised and disenfranchised members of society, how the death penalty itself has not served as a unique deterrent to crime, and how its continued use has stifled the necessary and visionary work towards enabling fair justice and addressing issues at the root causes," she added.
Earlier on Friday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the Cabinet's decision to abolish the mandatory death penalty was reached after a presentation of a report by the Special Committee to Review Alternative Sentences to the Mandatory Death Penalty.
Eleven offences carry the mandatory death penalty in Malaysia, with drug-related offences making up the majority of death penalty cases.
The decision by the Cabinet would give judges discretion in sentencing. These amendments would still need to be tabled and passed in parliament before they take effect.
In a separate statement, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) hailed the government's "historic move", adding that the country should be looking at the total abolishment of the death penalty.
"Nevertheless, the announcement today is a significant step forward towards seeing a Malaysia that is free from the inhumane practice of death penalty," said the human rights group.
SUARAM executive director Sevan Doraisamy noted that there were 1,366 people on death row as of September 2021, with a significant majority of them convicted under Section 39(B) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
"Therefore, we are also delighted that the government, in working towards abolishing mandatory death penalty, will be looking into revising Section 39(B)," he added.