Relief and pain among family members of death row inmates

PETALING JAYA: There is renewed hope for death row inmates now that Parliament has passed the two Bills necessary to abolish the mandatory death penalty, say relieved family members.

Homemaker Riniey Mat Noh, 39, whose brother is serving jail time while awaiting his journey to the gallows, said the abolition would give the 29-year-old another chance in life.

Her younger brother has always been enthusiastic about gaining knowledge and even retook his SPM exams in prison, she said.

“He was only 18 years old when he was charged for the crime under Section 302 of the Penal Code and he has remained hungry for knowledge.

“With the abolition of the mandatory death penalty, it gives us more chances to file for clemency and, with God’s will, if he gets acquitted, he will be able to continue his studies in Business,” she told The Star.

Riniey, who is from Kedah, added that death row inmates who are given a second chance in life could contribute to society on top of alleviating the burdens faced by their families.

“My parents even sold their house to pay the lawyer, to fight for justice and so my brother doesn’t end up on the gallows,” she said.

Persatuan Keluarga Banduan Akhir president Shamala Manickarajah said most of the death row inmates have repented their crimes, especially those who have spent decades waiting.

“They’ve struggled and suffered enough throughout their time in prison.

“There’s no need for the death penalty, I believe they have repented. And now they can appeal for release.

“If they should die, let them be with their family. They won’t go back to crime,” she said.

Shamala’s childhood friend has been in prison since 2016 and on death row for drug trafficking under Section 39B of the Penal Code.

Shamala was among 30 family members who showed up at Parliament last week to meet Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Ramkarpal Singh and other MPs.

“We’re glad that most of the MPs understood our plight and showed their support for us,” she said.

Hayati Mohamad, 42, said her family is glad to know the Bills have been passed by Parliament.

“As family members of inmates on death row, we’re relieved. It means that more chances can be given to convicted persons.

“I believe that they have learnt their lesson, and it is heart-wrenching to know that every day was uncertain for them before this. It affects their mental condition too,” she said.

Hayati’s older brother was charged under Section 39B and has been in jail since 2006.

She hopes that with the amendments, her brother can apply for clemency from the court to replace his death sentence with jail time instead.

While it was good news for death row inmates’ families, it was another story for victims’ next of kin.

Before the Bills were passed yesterday, a mother who lost her daughter to rape and murder in 2009 broke down in tears, pleading with the government not to abolish the mandatory death penalty.

“She was only 17 years old and she died after she was stabbed in the neck,” said Alice Tan Siew Ling before she began to cry in the lobby at Parliament.

Another person who was at Parliament, Noor Hakimi Abdul Halim, said his friend who worked as a security guard in Sungai Petani, Kedah, was also a murder victim.

“He was attacked by three assailants and murdered with a parang.

“If the mandatory death penalty is abolished, the criminals will not be scared anymore.

“Please think about the family of the victims,” he added.