Malaysian Bar: Don't automatically replace death sentences with life imprisonment

George Varughese. -Bernamapic

PETALING JAYA: Death sentences should not automatically be replaced with life imprisonment or a minimum of 30 years’ jail after the death penalty is abolished, says the Malaysian Bar. 

Its president George Varughese said the sentences of death row inmates should instead be commuted to sentences that are proportionate to the severity of the offences they had committed. 

He also said various factors should be taken into consideration for each offender's case, including the offender’s age, past criminal record, mental capacity, fear of another person, rehabilitation goals, degree of cooperation with the authorities and remorse shown by the offender. 

“Only then will the punishment of imprisonment meted out be just and effective,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 16). 

His statement comes following comments by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong that prisoners on death row would have to serve time for at least 30 years once the death penalty is abolished. 

He said these prisoners would have their sentences commuted to "imprisonment for life" or "life imprisonment". 

He added that "imprisonment for life" means that the convicts would serve the rest of their lives in prison without any release date whereas for "life imprisonment", convicts have to serve time for a minimum of 30 years.