Bill to repeal death sentence to be tabled in March next year

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File photo for illustration purposes

KUALA LUMPUR: The bill to repeal the mandatory death penalty is expected to be tabled in Parliament in March 2020, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong.

Liew said the findings and reports of the special committee set up to study the alternative forms of punishment to the mandatory death penalty were expected to be completed by the end of the year.

“Last August, the government agreed to set up a special committee comprising nine experts to conduct a comprehensive study on the alternative punishments for the mandatory death sentence.

“In addition, it will also study the court’s discretion in imposing punishments, taking into account the concept of restorative justice, the implications and the welfare of the victims and propose appropriate penalties for such offences,” he said here.

Liew said the special committee which had its first meeting on Sept 20 would conduct a holistic and independent law review taking into account the theoretical and practical perspectives of the experts.

Liew said there were 33 offences under the existing laws that carried the death sentence with 11 of them were mandatory. — Bernama