Govt to seek public opinion on abolishing mandatory death penalty

Photo: Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: There will be a survey to gauge public opinion on abolishing the mandatory death sentence and the Cabinet will be told if there is strong opposition to it, says Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

The de facto law minister said the people's input and feedback would be sought before the amendment is tabled in Parliament in October.

“We would like to hear the people’s response on the matter. If there are more in opposition than those who agree, we will bring it to Cabinet to decide,” he told a press conference here on Monday (June 13).

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The government has agreed to abolish the mandatory death penalty and allow judges to have discretion on sentencing.

The decision was made after the Report on the Study of Substitute Sentences on the Mandatory Death Penalty was presented at the Cabinet meeting on June 8.

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On plans to table legislative amendments to abolish the mandatory death sentence in the October parliamentary sitting, Wan Junaidi said the tabling should be expedited to resolve any “dilemmas”, including cases carrying the penalty that are being heard in court.

“If we can have the first reading in October, then lawmakers can debate on this and by December, it can be discussed in the Dewan Negara.

ALSO READ: MPs and experts back move to abolish mandatory death sentence

“Then by January, it can take effect. I don’t see the amendments facing any obstacles in either House,” said the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law).