Death penalty: Get public feedback first, urges Perkasa

Perkasa has urged the Pakatan Harapan government to obtain public feedback regarding its move to abolish the death penalty.

Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's administration should not rush to abolish the death penalty as this has caused concern among the rakyat.

"The government should actually be focusing on efforts to lessen the rakyat's cost of living as they promised.

"The government should not bow down to the voice of the minority and that is why we suggest they hold a referendum or a survey so that the community can voice their opinion about the abolition of the death penalty.

"Through the survey, anyone can campaign (to support or not) [...] the Bar Council can also campaign," Ibrahim told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Home Minister Muhyidddin Yassin said on Oct 27 that the government was currently collecting feedback from various parties before finalising its decision on the abolition of the death penalty.

"We are getting feedback from all parties. The media has also done their research, some agreed, some don't. The final decision has yet to be made.

"This matter will be brought to the attorney-general to be examined and after that to the cabinet before being brought to the Parliament stage.

"So we do not have a final decision yet," Muhyiddin said.

The abolition of the death penalty is one of the promises in Pakatan Harapan's election manifesto.

Ibrahim said the suggestion to have a survey is aligned with democratic principles where the voice of the majority should be accepted.

He said efforts to abolish the death penalty in the name of "humanity" would be unfair towards the families of fatal crime victims.

He also believes that abolishing the death penalty would "encourage" people to commit crimes without worry.

"Currently there are 1,281 convicts waiting to face the death penalty. Every month, RM19.2 million is spent and in 30 years, it would be RM575 million.

"Imagine that RM500 million being used for the benefit of the rakyat," Ibrahim said.

On a separate issue, he also insisted he was not a racist as portrayed by certain parties.

To back his point, he said that his business partner was a Chinese and his driver an Indian.

"I am a good person. To know Ibrahim Ali is to fall in love with Ibrahim Ali," he argued. - Mkini