Liew: New-look death penalty law may be tabled next week
After receiving heavy objection on total abolishment, de facto Law Minister Liew Vui Keong took a step back to abolish the mandatory death sentence on 11 serious criminal offences instead.
Under proposed changes to the law, the death penalty will still be available as a sentencing option for the judge, who can also choose for a 30-year jail sentence or life imprisonment...
After receiving heavy objection on total abolition, de facto Law Minister Liew Vui Keong took a step back to abolish the mandatory death sentence on 11 serious criminal offences instead.
Under proposed changes to the law, the death penalty will still be available as a sentencing option for the judge, who can also choose a 30-year jail sentence or life imprisonment.
"When the cabinet decided in October last year, there was a groundswell of opinion against the total abolition of the death penalty," Liew told Malaysiakini.
"There were a lot of objections and it was unfortunate that we had several by-elections and the death penalty became an issue then."
He feels that in taking note of the voices of the people, the cabinet's new proposal considered both the attempts to bring progressive reforms to the country, as well as the feelings of the family members of victims of violent crimes.
"The cabinet requested us to look into the abolition of the mandatory death sentence in about 11 offences.
"We are going to remove the mandatory death sentences and give the judge discretion in these 11 offences, which include murder, armed robbery and offences against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
"The judge will have discretion on whether or not to pass the death sentence after hearing the cases and evidence from witnesses, or to impose 30 years of imprisonment or life imprisonment," Liew (photo, above) said.
He said he had met with the families of murder victims in the last few months and explained to them why he was seeking the removal of the death penalty.
"At the same time, I met with NGOs and also pressure groups wanting complete abolition. There were opposing views," he said.
"I even asked the families of victims whether they wanted the condemned person to be executed immediately or be put in jail for the rest of the person's life. Even for this, there are different views," said Liew.
Documentation for the tabling of the amendments to the death penalty is ready and the first reading in Parliament may take place next week, Liew added.
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