Joint Press Release
The Malaysian Bar, Advocates’ Association of Sarawak and Sabah Law Association are heartened by the reported remarks of the Attorney General, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Haji Mohamed Apandi, that he will propose to the Cabinet that the mandatory death penalty for drug-related offences be abolished. The three Bar associations of Malaysia also welcome Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department YB Puan Hajah Nancy Shukri’s reported statement that she hopes to table legislative amendments next year for such abolition.
There is great wisdom in leaving the decision on punishment for such offences to the discretion of the Judiciary. With the abolition of the mandatory death penalty, the Judiciary will have the discretion to sentence a convicted person to either death or imprisonment. However, concrete action on this issue is long overdue. Read more