KUALA LUMPUR: The Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Bill 2023 would not necessarily lead to an increase in serious crime cases, the Dewan Negara was told.
Crime rates are not solely dependent on heavy punishment, and there is no study to show that the death penalty is the best measure to prevent crimes, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Ramkarpal Singh.
“Before this, a committee led by a former Chief Justice had conducted a study on this issue and found that the deterrent effect is not as what was told.
“There are many factors that can affect crime rates, such as economic, social and psychological ones.
“Crime rates also depend on the effectiveness of law enforcement, the public’s understanding of the effects of crime, and the opportunity to commit a crime,” he said when winding up the debate on the Bill.
The Bill was passed without amendments by majority voice vote after a debate by 17 senators.
Ramkarpal said the Bill was an “omnibus act” as it included amendments to the Penal Code, Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971, Arms Act 1960, Kidnapping Act 1961, Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Strategic Trade Act 2010, and Criminal Procedure Code.
The House also approved the Death Penalty and Life Imprisonment Review (Federal Court Provisional Jurisdiction) Bill 2023 after it was debated by 12 senators.
The Bill aims to empower the Federal Court in its review of the death penalty and life sentences of inmates following the abolishment of the mandatory death penalty.
