Cabinet to decide on axing capital punishment

The final report by the special committee to review alternative sentences to the mandatory death penalty will be presented to the Cabinet for discussion. (AFP pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: De facto law minister Takiyuddin Hassan says discussions will be held on the abolition of capital punishment before a decision is made on the matter.

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat here today, he said this would follow the final report by the special committee to review alternative sentences to the mandatory death penalty which was submitted to the government on July 17.

“The final report contains recommendations on alternative punishments for 11 offences that carry the mandatory death sentence, offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (Act 234), and 21 offences that carry the discretionary death sentence.

“The findings are expected to answer the debate on whether the government will propose amending the punishment for drug trafficking to a minimum jail sentence so that punishments will be given based on the facts of each case,” he said.

He added that the committee had also made recommendations for long-term improvements to the country’s system of justice.

“The report is expected to be presented at a Cabinet meeting for consideration and approval.”

He was responding to Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor) who asked the prime minister whether the government would abolish the death sentence for drug trafficking.

Ramkarpal also asked if the government would propose amending the punishment for drug trafficking offences to a minimum jail term to allow sentences to be meted out according to the facts of individual cases. - FMT