Malaysia delays abolition of death penalty pending further study by AG's Chamber (17/8/2016 Cabinet decision)

Media statement by Members of Parliament from the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Amanah Negara (AMANAH) on Thursday, November 3, 2016 in the Malaysian Parliament, Kuala Lumpur.

The government is finally committed to amend laws that gives discretionary powers to judges on the imposition of the death penalty and to expedite the implementation of a moratorium on all executions.

The 2017 Budget speech, once again saw Members of Parliament in the House reminding the government on its pledge to abolish the mandatory death penalty by amending the existing laws or to draft a new bill to grant discretionary powers to the courts, as well as on the urgency for a moratorium on all pending executions in the country.

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dato Azalina stated that the government is conducting a comprehensive study on the death penalty, which includes taking into account the proposal that judges be given the discretion to impose the death penalty as well to implement a moratorium on all executions pending an amendment to the law.

The scope of the study will not only focus on the abolition of the mandatory death penalty but also the given choice of either the death penalty or life imprisonment. On August 17, 2016 a memorandum on the status and study on the abolition of the death penalty had been brought to the Cabinet and the Cabinet had collective agreed that the Attorney General's Chambers run a thorough study on this matter. After the study is complete, it will be brought back to the Cabinet for further consideration.

Given the age-old retentionist stand by the government on this matter, this move by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department comes as a positive development because after such a long time and through constant pressure from various elected representatives, NGOs and the general public, the government is beginning to give some attention to the abolition of the death penalty and future ligislative amendments.

Pending a review by the Attorney General's Chambers, we as Parliamentarians, urge the federal government to impose a moratorium on all death sentences, as there are no legal provisions that fixes a date on executions from the time the court metes the decision. This is particularly crucial in cases of young offenders or drug mules found guilty under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

According to the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, the proposed moratorium would be brought to the Cabinet as soon as possible and this is a big step in the right direction to preserve humanity, compassion and the rule of law. As a sovereign nation, it is right and just to halt all executions pending an amendment in the law on the death penalty.

The end of 2016 will spell the end of Malaysia as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Next, the country intends to become a member of the UN Human Rights Council when all memberships expire by the end of the year.

This should be the best platform for Malaysia to project its sincerity and determination to fix the erosion of human rights as well as to improve the nations reputation as a defender of human rights by making periodic and speedy amendments to laws on the death penalty.

The government is finally committed to amend laws that gives discretionary powers to judges on the imposition of the death penalty and to expedite the implementation of a moratorium on all executions.

M. Kulasegaran (Ipoh Barat)

Gobind Singh Deo (Puchong)

Liew Chin Tong (Kluang)

Ramkarpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor)

Hanipa Maidin (Sepang)

Kasthuri Patto (Batu Kawan)

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SPEECH BY MINISTER IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT

YB Dato' AZALINA ON 02/11/2016

(translated from Bahasa Malaysia)

The Member of Parliament of Kluang had raised the issue of the mandatory death penalty in which he which he suggested that judges be given the discretion to impose the death penalty. MP Kluang also suggested that a moratorium be implemented to suspend the death penalty until the study on the implementation of the death penalty in this country is complete. MP for Ipoh Barat and MP for Batu Kawan had also touched on the same issue, where questions on the status of the Bill on the abolition of the mandatory death penalty and when it will be tabled in Parliament.

For the information of all MPs, the Government is conducting a comprehensive study on the death penalty, including taking into account the proposal that judges be given discretionary powers to impose the death penalty.

The study would cover all provisions of the death penalty in place in the country and also its on implementation. This is done by taking into account all legal provisions existing in this country and a comparative study with the provisions of the law of another country.

The scope of the study is not only focused on the abolition of the mandatory death penalty but also the choice between the death penalty or life imprisonment.

The decision on the implementation of the death penalty in this country, either be repealed or maintained, is a policy matter to be decided by the government based on the results of the study.

On August 17, 2016 a memorandum was brought to the Cabinet on the studies conducted and the Cabinet decided that the Attorney General's Chambers to conduct a further study on the matter. Therefore, after the study is completed it will be brought back to the Cabinet for further consideration.

For the record, I also chaired a Committee meeting to discuss the implementation of the death penalty in Malaysia on 5 September 2016. The meeting included academics, representatives of the Bar Council, SUHAKAM (National Human Rights Institution) representatives, representatives of NGOs such as Amnesty International, representatives of the opposition and the Attorney General's Chambers as well as government agencies and other related parties. I congratulate the MP for Ipoh Barat who attended this meeting and for providing useful input. He has also long contributed his views on this matter with the former Law Minister Minister Dato' Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz who had moved this agenda since some time back. This is what we want, a collaboration between all parties in this matter or any matter for the benefit of the people.

The Prime Minister himself has expressed his concern on this matter, particularly against young offenders or drug mules under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

JAWAPAN MENTERI DALAM JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI

YB DATO AZALINA PADA 2/11/2016

Yang Berhormat Kluang pula telah membangkitkan mengenai isu hukuman mati mandatori di mana Yang Berhormat Kluang mencadangkan supaya hakim diberi budi bicara untuk menjatuhkan hukuman mati. YB Kluang juga mencadangkan supaya satu moratorium dilaksanakan bagi menangguhkan hukuman mati mandatori sehingga kajian berkenaan perlaksanaan hukuman mati di negara ini selesai. YB Ipoh Barat dan YB Batu Kawan juga telah menyentuh isu yang sama, di mana bertanya mengenai bila Rang Undang-Undang berkenaan pemansuhan hukuman mati mandatori dibentangkan di Parlimen

Untuk makluman Ahli Yang Berhormat, Kerajaan sedang menjalankan suatu kajian komprehensif berkenaan dengan isu hukuman mati termasuk mengambil kira cadangan supaya hakim diberi budi bicara untuk menjatuhkan hukuman mati.

Kajian merangkumi keseluruhan peruntukan hukuman mati yang dikuatkuasakan di negara ini dan juga pelaksanaannya. Kajian ini dibuat dengan mengambil kira semua peruntukan undang-undang yang sedia ada di negara ini dan kajian perbandingan dengan peruntukan undang-undang daripada negara lain.

Skop kajian tidak hanya tertumpu pada pemansuhan hukuman mati mandatori tetapi juga hukuman mati pilihan iaitu sama ada hukuman mati atau penjara seumur hidup.

Keputusan berhubung pelaksanaan hukuman mati di negara ini, sama ada akan dimansuhkan atau diteruskan, merupakan perkara dasar yang akan diputuskan oleh Kerajaan berdasarkan hasil kajian tersebut.

Untuk makluman lanjut Yang Berhormat juga, pada 17 Ogos 2016 yang lalu, satu Memorandum Jemaah Menteri berhubung status kajian tersebut telah dibawa ke Jemaah Menteri dan diputuskan untuk Jabatan Peguam Negara untuk membuat kajian lebih lanjut berhubung dengan perkara ini. Justeri itu, setelah kajian tersebut selesai ianya akan dibawa semula ke Mesyuarat Jemaah Menteri untuk pertimbangan selanjutnya.

Untuk makluman, saya juga telah mempengerusikan satu Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Bagi Membincangkan Pelaksanaan Hukuman Mati di Malaysia pada 5 September 2016 yang lalu. Mesyuarat tersebut merangkumi ahli-ahli akademik, wakil Majlis Peguam Malaysia, wakil SUHAKAM, wakil NGO seperti Amnesty International, wakil pembangkang dan Jabatan Peguam Negara serta agensi-agensi kerajaan berkaitan yang lain. Tahniah juga kepada YB Ipoh Barat yang telah menghadiri mesyuarat ini serta memberikan input yang bermanfaat. Beliau juga telah lama menyumbang pandangan berkenaan perkara ini bersama Menteri yang menjaga Hal Ehwal Perundangan pada masa itu, iaitu Dato' Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz yang telah menggerakan agenda ini sejak masa itu lagi. Ini yang kita mahukan, satu kerjasama antara semua pihak dalam perkara ini atau mana-mana perkara yang melibatkan rakyat.

YAB PM sendiri amat prihatin terhadap perkara ini khususnya terhadap pesalah-pesalah muda atau keldai-keldai dadah yang bawah Seksyen 39B Akta Dadah Berbahaya 1952.