With the increasing number of suicide cases in Malaysia, a change to the Penal Code to decriminalise attempted suicide is very likely to happen sometime in the middle of next year, according to The Star.
As mentioned by Datuk Liew Vui Keong, there is a huge possibility that the Penal Code could be amended to decriminalise suicide attempts as early as the middle of 2020.
Source: FMT
In order to decriminalise suicide attempts, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said that a policy paper was being drawn up by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to take the views of stakeholders and the approaches of different jurisdictions within the Commonwealth into consideration.
“After it is done, the paper will be brought to the Cabinet for a decision before it is tabled in the Dewan Rakyat for the necessary amendments to the Penal Code. I hope to see the amendments by mid-2020, ” he said in a statement.
Datuk Liew said that Section 309 for attempted suicide, and Sections 305 and 306 for abetting suicide are being looked into.
Source: Herald Malaysia
He also said the government has been actively studying effective methods to decriminalise suicide in a holistic effort by the AGC.
This change is supported by the Malaysian Bar Council, the Health Ministry and the Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association’s president.
But Malaysia is not the only country to decriminalise suicide. Singapore has also announced it would amend its law to decriminalise attempted suicide starting 1st January 2020.
As much as this is good news for everyone, we shouldn’t take depression and suicide lightly. Should you or somebody you know need professional help, Befrienders is there to give you emotional support through their 24-hour hotline at 03-79568145.
Also read: 2 M’sian Men May Have Jumped Off Penang Bridge on 30th & 31st Dec, Rescuers Search For Bodies
