Home Ministry says death penalty under review, reprieve for 17
KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 —
The sentences of 17 inmates on death row have been put on hold pending a
government review of the penalty, the Home Ministry announced today.
The ministry’s deputy secretary-general Datuk Seri Nadzri
Siron indicated that the outcome may take a while as the Cabinet will
have to deliberate on the review findings.
“The
review process will begin as soon as possible, as it is a directive
from the government,” he said during the agenda workshop on Malaysia
Accession to the United Nations Convention Against Torture, and Other
Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment (Uncat) here.
Nadzri
said the review will involve all laws where the death penalty is
prescribed, including the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and the Firearms Act
1971.
“The PH manifesto clearly
stated that the use of the death penalty would be reviewed. Whether it
will be retained or abolished will depend on the Cabinet,” he said,
using the initials for the Pakatan Harapan coalition that came into
power after the May 9 general election.
On the government’s
accession to the Uncat, Nadzri said the ministry will soon form a
special committee to review seven acts pertaining to detention without
trial.
“We have been instructed
to review these laws as soon as possible alongside the
Attorney-General’s Chamber. The review will most probably conclude by
the year’s end,”
“Three of the seven acts
to be reviewed include the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act
2012, the Prevention of Crime Act 2014, and the Prevention of Terrorism
Act 2015,” he said. - Malay Mail, 2/7/2018
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