KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Health Coalition (MHC) yesterday called on the government to decriminalise suicide in Malaysia, which it argues as an important step towards destigmatising mental health.
In a statement yesterday, the health group said criminalisation of suicide is not an effective way in preventing suicide attempts and the decriminalisation of it will bring Malaysia in line with international norms.
“Therefore, we urge the government to repeal Section 309 of the Penal Code which punishes suicide attempts. In 2019, the Attorney-General’s Chambers began reviewing these provisions in order to decriminalise suicide.
“We urge the government to expedite the process to ensure that those who are already overwhelmed by their psychological burdens are not at risk of being double-penalised under the law,” it said in the statement issued in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day here yesterday.
MHC is a coalition of more than 40 organisations and individuals representing health professionals in Malaysia.
According to MHC, the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey found that half a million Malaysian adults are depressed while 424,000 children have mental health problems.
It said these staggering numbers are expected to increase following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is important now more than ever to invest in and strengthen mental health support for the Rakyat, by ensuring adequate psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and trained counsellors at public hospitals and clinics across the country.
“Mental health is everyone’s issue, and we must not penalise people struggling with mental health issues. The government must build a more compassionate Malaysia by having an empathetic approach to policy- and decision-making,” it added. — Bernama