Bid to decriminalise suicide attempts to check its rising rate

Tinker therapy: Dr Wan Azizah sharing a light moment with a student at the National Skills Development Centre in Serendah. Looking on is Malaysia Airports chairman Tan Sri Zainun Ali (left) and Women, Family and community Development Ministry deputy secretary-general (operation) Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin (pink hijab).

HULU SELANGOR: The government is studying ways to decriminalise suicide attempts in a bid to address a rise in such cases nationwide, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Together with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, she said they had stressed upon the need for the government to review Section 309 of the Penal Code, which deals with attempts to commit suicide. Both of them spoke about the decriminalisation of suicide attempts during an intra-agency meeting on mental health issues that she chaired recently, said Dr Wan Azizah.

“I was made to understand that the Attorney General’s Chambers is studying and looking into the existing laws on the issue.