MALAYSIA SET TO ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY
Foreign diplomats and international human rights groups on Thursday praised Malaysia for plans to abolish the death penalty in the next legislative session.
In Malaysia, death penalty is a mandatory punishment for murder, drug trafficking, treason, and waging war against the YDPA.
Capital punishment has recently been extended to acts of terrorism, death as a result of rape, child rapists and kidnapping.
When someone is sentenced to death, the head of state automatically receives a report on each case and can either commute the sentence to another punishment, pardon the offender, or set the time and place for the execution.
There are no jury trials in Malaysia for capital punishment.
Liew Vui Keong, a minister in the prime minister’s department, said on Wednesday that amendments to the existing laws would be introduced in the next session, which begins on Oct. 15.
“The death penalty will be abolished, full stop.
“We need to look into it and hear the views of all, but as it stands today, the decision is to abolish the death penalty,’’ Liew stressed after a law reform talk at a Malaysian university.
Foreign embassies and rights groups were supportive of the move.
“We strongly welcome the announcement by the Malaysian Government of its intention to abolish the death penalty,” Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt, the Swedish ambassador to Malaysia, wrote on Twitter.
He said: “Impressive & bold move.’’
Amnesty International also cheered the news, calling it “an astounding announcement.”
Local news reports noted that all pending executions have been halted in the meantime.
According to local reports, over 1,200 people have received death sentences in Malaysia for murder, drug trafficking, terrorist acts, treason, and other crimes.
More Stories
POPULAR SOCIALITE ADEBISI EDIONSERI, ‘CASH MADAM,’ DIES AT 89
A popular socialite and businesswoman, Chief (Mrs) Khadijah Adebisi Edionseri, popularly known as Cash Madam, has passed away at the...
WORLD’S OLDEST PERSON DIES AT 116
The world’s oldest person, Japanese woman Tomiko Itooka, has died aged 116, the city where she lived, Ashiya, announced on...
NAFDAC WARNS PUBLIC ABOUT FAKE CANCER DRUG IN CIRCULATION
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control has alerted healthcare providers and the public about a suspected...
DANGOTE, OBI VISIT JIGAWA GOVERNOR OVER LOSS OF MOTHER, SON
Africa’s wealthiest man, Aliko Dangote, and the Labour Party’s former presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, paid a...
MAKINDE VOWS TO EASE ECONOMIC BURDEN ON OYO RESIDENTS IN 2025
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has said his government would do more for the people of the state in 2025....
NIGERIANS CALLED TO UNITE FOR 2025 GROWTH AND PROSPERITY
The immediate past chairman of Delta State traditional rules council and the Obi of Owa kingdom, Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor 11,...