Malaysia - 16 hanged to death, Death Row -1,122 (2014 - Feb 2017)

Malaysia has been telling us that Malaysia will abolish the death penalty, especially the mandatory death penalty. At the last Universal Periodic Review(2013-2014), Malaysia said, “…The research arm of the Attorney-General’s Chambers is currently undertaking a comprehensive study to examine the legal and policy frameworks related to the application of the death penalty in Malaysia, scheduled for completion by end 2014. The findings and recommendations of the study will subsequently be presented to the Government for policy consideration and decision…” In fact, it has been more than a decade that Malaysia have been looking at this matter...but still no effective implementation yet. Let the judges decide on the appropriate sentence, after considering all the relevant circumstances of particular convicts....

When Malaysia is 'studying' - considering the abolition - then reasonably there must be a moratorium on all execution until after the government decides, and the laws amended. 

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman, the new de facto Law Minister, during the Parliamentary session on 2/11/2016 clarified that Malaysia was not just looking at the mandatory death penalty, but all death penalty. They were considering possibly replacing the death penalty with life imprisonment. - MALAYSIA’S CABINET’S DELAY IN TABLING LAWS ABOLISHING THE DEATH PENALTY RISKS UNNECESSARY LOSS OF LIFE -Immediate Moratorium On ALL Executions -

It is shocking to learn that since 2014 (after the last UPR), Malaysia has executed 16 persons until February 2017. It is shocking to hear that Malaysia also voted against the United Nations General Assembly Resolution calling for a moratorium on execution in December 2016 - when Malaysia should really have just ABSTAINED given the fact an of an ongoing review of the death penalty.

Worse still is the fact that many of these executions are being carried out in 'secret'. To be able to use that argument that reason for keeping the death penalty is 'deterrence', means Malaysia must actively publicize death sentences and executions - if not, how is Malaysia trying to scare people from committing the said crimes?

Judges and courts can make mistakes, and persons can be wrongly convicted and sentenced - That is what the Pakatan Harapan (DAP, PKR and Pribumi-BERSATU) is saying. Anwar is only serving a few years in jail and then he will be released...but what about the people who are being hanged to death? Or is these people really saying that Malaysian courts made no mistakes except for Anwar's case... Why is PKR,Pribumi-BERSATU, DAP, PAS, ...not coming out and publicly declaring that the are against the death penalty. Will their election manifesto clearly state that they will abolish the death penalty, and commute the sentence of all those on death row to imprisonment...Take a stand...

 

Monday, 27 March 2017 | MYT 3:40 PM

More than 1,100 people have received death sentence in Malaysia

by rahimy rahim

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 1,100 people have been convicted and sentenced to death by the courts up to Feb 21 this year, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"Based on statistics from the Prison Department, as of Feb 21 this year, a total of 1,122 prisoners have been found guilty and sentenced to death by court," said Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Home Minster in a written parliamentary reply.

His reply did not state from when these convictions took place.

He was responding to a question from Kasthuri Patto (DAP-Batu Kawan), who asked the Ministry to reveal the statistics of prisoners who have been sentenced to death according to background and cases as of Feb this year.

Ahmad Zahid said a total of 16 inmates - 14 Malaysian and two foreigners - had been executed between 2014 and Feb 21 this year.

"From the total, a total of 15 prisoners have been sentenced to death for murder while the other one was due to a crime involving firearms," said Dr Ahmad Zahid.

Last week, The Cabinet agreed to review the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 to allow judges to use their discretion in sentencing offenders instead of imposing the mandatory death sentence.

 

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the review will enable judges to mete suitable sentences in marginal cases where offenders could be given jail sentences.

Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/03/27/total-death-penalty-1100-zahid/#jcrU7qTtExW6TZ8Z.99