Attempted suicide no longer a crime

THE Dewan Rakyat was unanimous in its vote to drop a legal provision that categorised suicide attempts as an offence, in a move seen as a stepping stone to helping those in need.

“The abolition of Section 309 of the Penal Code will be a stepping stone in efforts to prevent any attempt of suicide in the country to aid those who need help, and for them to come out and seek help,” said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Legal and Institutional Reforms) Ramkarpal Singh.