Alternative sentences to death penalty finalised, to be presented to Cabinet, says Wan Junaidi

PUTRAJAYA: The government has finalised its policy decision on alternative sentences to the mandatory death sentence for 11 offences and will present it to the Cabinet soon.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said that the government had also finalised the policy decision on alternative sentences for 22 offences where the death penalty is at the discretion of the court as well as the moratorium on the execution of the 1,337 inmates on death row.

"The decision was reached in two series of meetings of the Technical Committee on Alternative Sentence to Mandatory Death Sentence.

"The government has in agreed in policy to the proposal of alternative sentences for 11 offences with mandatory death sentence, with one offence under Section 39B Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and 22 offences with death by court discretion and the moratorium on the execution of 1,337 inmates on death row," said Wan Junaidi in a statement on Tuesday (Sept 13).

He said the decision would be presented to the Cabinet for consideration and approval before the amendment is tabled at the next Parliament meeting.

"The first reading for this Act is expected to be on Oct 4 and the second reading on Nov 22, depending on the schedule," said Wan Junaidi.