45% against total abolition of death penalty

PETALING JAYA: In a survey conducted by The Star, almost half of Malaysians surveyed are against the Cabinet’s plan to abolish the death penalty.

At press time, the survey revealed that 45% felt the death penalty was needed to keep hardcore criminals at bay.

A total of 32% agreed with the abolition, but said it was still needed for violent crimes, especially crimes against children.

Only 23% fully supported the total removal of the death penalty, saying it has no place in modern society.

Over 3,600 Malaysians participated in the survey.

Online sentiment was largely against the abolition with comments claiming that the abolition could lead to an increase in crime.

On Facebook, Chari Sagurthi said the death penalty should remain for murder, rape, and abuse of children.

“Please do not abolish the death penalty, instead place greater emphasis on methods of enforcement and impose tougher sentence,” Corren Gan said.

Lawrence Nair said sentencing criminals to life imprisonment could lead to overcrowded prisons.

At the other end of the spectrum, those who supported the abolition said it was long time coming as the death penalty had shown to be ineffective in deterring crime.

“Does the death penalty really deter people from selling or trafficking drugs? It does not. It does not work as a deterrent. So why keep it?” Aaron Siva said.

He added that the death penalty was nothing more than state sponsored murder.

Thiaga Rajan said the removal of the death penalty should have been done ages ago.

To Ong Kok Yaw, the death penalty was against human rights.