‘Study on ending death sentence in final stage’
SANDAKAN: A study on abolishing the mandatory death sentence is in the final stage before being presented to the cabinet for approval, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong.
He said the study was conducted by the Attorney-General’s Chambers following the government’s intention to abolish the death penalty in accordance with International Standards on Human Rights.
“The study on abolishing mandatory death penalty is in the final stage and I’m sure we can table the bill by the end of the year,” he said after a community-friendly social integration programme in Kampung Karamunting here on Saturday.
The programme was organised by the Sandakan district National Anti-Drug Agency’s Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Committee in collaboration with the Rukun Tetangga of Kampung Karamunting.
Liew said the mandatory death sentence was for offences relating to drug trafficking, murder and terrorism.
He said in reviewing the punishment, various aspects would be taken into account to ensure offenders received the appropriate punishment, particularly for murder and terrorism.
“In drug cases, sometimes, we are overly hard on drug mules.
“But our law is against anyone who is found guilty of trafficking a certain amount of drugs.”
Liew said if the mandatory death sentence could be abolished, the focus would be on Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
“But for crimes like invading a sovereign nation, similar to the incident in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, where villagers and members of the security forces were killed, we have to take them into consideration to ensure that those arrested are subjected to appropriate punishment,” he said.