KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 906 death row inmates have been identified as eligible to apply for sentence review under the newly passed regulations, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The Law and Institutional Reform Minister said that under the Review of Death Penalty and Life Imprisonment Act 2023, the Federal Court has so far commuted the sentences of 863 inmates, while 49 individuals remain on death row as of October 2024.
“Although the mandatory death penalty has been abolished, judges retain discretion to impose capital punishment. This development has directly led to an increase in new death sentences and a growing number of death row inmates nationwide,” she said in a parliamentary written reply for Nov 19.
Azalina was replying to a question from Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor), who had asked whether the government intends to extend the moratorium on executions for prisoners whose death sentences were upheld by the Federal Court.
In light of these developments, she said the government has formed a task force to reassess the country’s death penalty policy and long-term direction.
“The group will work with the Criminal Law Reform Committee (CLRC) and carry out holistic stakeholder engagements, including with criminal law experts, families of death row inmates, and families of victims.
“The review is expected to be completed by January 2026, after which its recommendations, including the future of the execution moratorium, will be presented to the Cabinet,” she added.
Azalina stressed that the moratorium on executions, which has been in effect since 2018, remains unchanged.
The move reflects the government’s commitment to fair trial rights, human rights considerations, and balancing justice for victims with public interest.
