Govt plans to impose moratorium on penalisation of suicide attempts

PETALING JAYA: The government plans to impose a moratorium on Section 309 of the Penal Code which penalises suicide attempts, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (pic).

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said this was one of four measures by the government to destigmatise and curb suicide cases in the country.

"We plan to impose this moratorium until all Bills to decriminalise suicide attempts are passed.

"This will ease matters related to enforcement and prosecution," she said in a statement on Tuesday (April 4).

This is part of the government's move to introduce bills that will abolish the offence of attempted suicide as abolishing it will reduce cases and allow people to seek help.

"We encourage people with mental health problems to come forward and seek professional help," she said.