NGO calls for amendment to Drugs Act, repeal of death penalty

Amnesty International Malaysia called for amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 that include repealing the death penalty for drug-related offences.

For World Day Against the Death Penalty today, the NGO is highlighting Malaysia and neighbouring countries for the continued use of the death penalty in drug offences.

Malaysia and Singapore are among only 11 countries still practising this last year, it said in a statement.

“Malaysia made significant progress towards death penalty abolition over the past year and has notably commuted over 835 death sentences since the review process began at the Federal Court level.

“However, the abolition of the death penalty, especially for drug-related offences, cannot be delayed any longer,” said Amnesty International Malaysia campaigner Qistina Johari.

On April 3, 2023, the Dewan Rakyat passed a bill to abolish Malaysia’s mandatory death penalty.

However, in August, Hayat CEO Dobby Chew noted that the number of persons on death row for drug offences had increased, despite only 58 persons being added to the overall death row population.

The third meeting of the Dewan Rakyat this year is scheduled to begin next Monday (Oct 14).

Path towards abolition

Meanwhile, Qistina said Malaysia must support Malaysians who are at risk of execution in Singapore.

“The ongoing refusal by Singapore authorities to acknowledge the devastating impact of this punishment on the family members of those facing executions, and to society at large, is appalling, to say the least.

“Although the advances in Malaysia’s path towards abolition have gained recognition, the journey is far from being over.

“The authorities must not shy away from demonstrating leadership on this urgent human rights issue by moving towards full abolition of the death penalty in Malaysia as well as advocating for abolition beyond its borders,” said Qistina.

Amnesty International Malaysia will also collaborate with the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (Adpan) and the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR) to commemorate World Day Against the Death Penalty with an event.

The event, titled “Hidden Impact: Singapore and the Death Penalty”, will be held over two days from Oct 12 to 13.

It will feature a photo exhibition, art installation, digital artworks, and opinion pieces from Malaysian youths, a panel discussion, and a documentary screening.

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