Review death sentences of those already convicted, says MP

 

An MP has called for a review of sentences of prisoners already condemned to death. (File pic)

PETALING JAYA: The government should urgently review the sentences of prisoners already on death row, an MP said today following the government’s decision to remove mandatory death sentences.

A separate sentencing exercise should be carried out to determine if those on death row ought to be exempted from the death sentence, at the discretion of a judge, said Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh.

He urged the government to urgently table amendments to current laws that provide for a mandatory death sentence. He suggested that the amendments should have retrospective effect.

He said many prisoners already on death row would be affected by the change in government policy and the amendments ought to apply also to those on death row who were convicted before the new amendments come into force.

Ramkarpal Singh.

He said it would be unfair to impose the death sentence on those convicted before the abolition of the mandatory death sentence while those convicted after the amendment will not face the prospect of hanging.

The government’s intention to abolish the mandatory death sentence was announced by law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar earlier today.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob later explained that the death penalty would remain, but the mandatory death sentence in some laws would be removed so that judges could exercise their discretion in sentencing.

Wan Junaidi said the Cabinet had agreed for a further study to be carried out on the proposed substitute sentences for 11 offences carrying the mandatory death sentence. - FMT