Nancy: 1,041 on death row, no decision yet on abolishment

Some 1,041 inmates are on death row with no decision yet on whether the Government will abolish the punishment.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri said no decision had been made on the Government’s policy on death sentences.

“As of May 16, statistics from the Prisons Department show that there are 1,041 inmates on death row for mandatory death sentences for murder, drug trafficking, unlawful possession of firearms and kidnapping.

“However, the sentences have not been carried out as the cases are still pending appeals with the courts and respective state pardon boards,” she said in a written reply to Ramkarpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor).

Ramkarpal wanted to know if the morato­rium on mandatory death sentences was in effect following proposals to abolish the pu­nishment.

Nancy added no decision was forthcoming at the moment as an in-depth study was being carried out on the matter.

“The Government is working with the Attorney-General who is carrying out a detailed study on the law, policy and effectiveness of the mandatory death sentence,” she said.

Meanwhile Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said the Govern­ment had not made a decision on the review of the passenger service charges.

The review for the charges, conducted every five years, was requested by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).

“As an airport operator, MAHB has applied for the charges to be revised. But the final decision will be taken by the Government and we have not decided,” he said in reply to a question from Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS-Kota Baru).