Youth group calls for political will to decriminalise suicide

 

The government has been urged to decriminalise suicide to stop the stigma surrounding mental health in Malaysia.

Youth in Politics (YPolitics), a local youth-led group, said it demands political will in the country to put an end to the criminalisation of suicide and replace punishments with mental health rehabilitation.

“We condemn issuing fines and jail time as a response to those suffering from severe mental health problems, especially those who attempted suicide,” the group said in a statement today.

The call came amid rising suicide cases during the pandemic, as many are facing mental distress due to financial constraints, among other factors.

Police previously revealed 468 suicide cases were recorded in the first five months of this year alone, up from an annual total of 631 cases in 2020 and 609 in 2019.

“Thus, we call for all Malaysian MPs, Aduns, senators regardless of political affiliation to be more vocal and push for greater political will to decriminalise suicide as people with mental health issues are not criminals,” the group said.

The statement is supported by 17 other NGOs, and called for seven specific measures to be adopted by the government besides repealing Section 309 of the Penal Code that criminalises suicide attempts.

The measures the groups demanded are:

1. Adopt rehabilitative solutions under the Health Ministry as a means of strengthening support mechanisms for Malaysians and non-Malaysians;

2. Allow counselling centres to operate with strict SOPs during the lockdown;

3. Discuss and vote on the decriminalisation of suicide when Parliament reconvenes;

4. Introduce a moratorium as a short-term solution that avoids fining and jailing Malaysians and non-Malaysians who have attempted suicide;

5. Optimise the role of Parliamentary special select committee to address mental health problems;

6. Pardon and review cases for those who have been prosecuted and convicted under provision Section 309 of the Penal Code;

7. Revive the National Suicide Registry of Malaysia (NSRM) to drive effective policymaking and long-term solutions to address the rising cases of suicide.

YPolitics added the continual criminalisation of suicide will prevent those who suffer from mental health problems to seek help due to negative stigmatisation by the law.

“The stigma and criminality which frames suicide has led family, friends and the general society to ignore the desperate calls for help.

“Instead, mental health in Malaysia needs to be approached with compassion, data-driven solutions, and ethical policymaking. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness,” the group said.

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If you are feeling depressed or suicidal, or know someone who is, please call the following hotlines:

Agape Counselling Centre Malaysia

Hotline: 03-77855955 or 03-77810800

The Befrienders

Hotline: 03-79568144 or 03-79568145

Life Line Association Malaysia

Hotline: 03-42657995

-Mkini