PETALING JAYA: Amendments to the law to decriminalise suicide are now in effect.
In a joint statement on Wednesday (Sept 10), the Health Ministry and the Prime Minister's Department legal affairs division (BHEUU) said that the amendments were enforceable today in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day 2025.
"BHEUU emphasises that the offence of abetment of suicide remains in force, and abetment of attempted suicide has been introduced under Section 306 of Act 574 (Penal Code).
"These offences are further differentiated based on the category of person who is incited or influenced (children or individuals who lack mental capacity) under Section 305 of Act 574.
"The main focus of these offences is to protect vulnerable groups who are more easily influenced or manipulated by perpetrators," the statement said.
The amendments also introduced Crisis Intervention Officers (CIOs), consisting of enforcement agency members such as the police and the Fire and Rescue Department.
"Under this amendment, CIOs are empowered to act under Section 11 of the Mental Health Act 2001 in the event of a suicide attempt.
This authority allows them, among other things, to bring individuals who have attempted suicide to a psychiatric hospital for examination in accordance with the provisions under the Mental Health Act 2001.
"From an implementation standpoint, CIOs can bring individuals to the emergency department of the nearest gazetted government hospital for assessment and initial treatment.
"In this regard, the Health Ministry is in the final stages of gazetting almost all of its hospitals and two university hospitals as government psychiatric hospitals.
"This involves a total of 145 hospitals that can receive CIO referrals, including in remote areas," it said.
It was also mentioned that training will be implemented nationwide.
The government hope that the legal reforms will be "a major step forward" in efforts to prevent suicide attempts in the country by encouraging those with mental health issues to seek help, and to eliminate the stigma around suicide.
Those suffering from mental health issues or contemplating suicide can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999 or 019-261 5999 on WhatsApp); Jakim's Family, Social and Community care centre (011-1959 8214 on WhatsApp); and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929, go to www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a full list of numbers and operating hours, or email sam@befrienders.org.my.
