By Selangor Journal Staff
KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong today announced the possibility of a Bill to abolish the death penalty being tabled at the upcoming Dewan Rakyat sitting.
He said the Cabinet had met earlier this morning where the issue was discussed on whether the Bill should be tabled at the Dewan Rakyat sitting which will start on Monday.
“This is a major development for the country… I hope a memorandum can be completed for the Cabinet to approve so that the abolition Bill can be tabled in Parliament,” reported online portal FreeMalaysiaToday during a talk on law reforms at Universiti Malaya.
On Oct 8, Liew said that a study to abolish the mandatory death sentence is in the final stage before being presented to the cabinet, adding that he was sure that it could be tabled by year end.
He said the study was conducted by the Attorney-General’s Chambers following the government’s intention to abolish the death penalty made in accordance with International Standards on Human Rights.
Liew, who is also in charge of legal affairs, said the mandatory death sentence was for offences relating to drug trafficking, murder and terrorism.
In Malaysia, the death penalty carried out by hanging is mandatory for crimes such as murder with intent to kill, for trafficking excessive amounts of drugs and possession of firearms.
