Decriminalise suicide, MCPF urges govt

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) has urged the government to decriminalise suicide.

Its senior vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said Section 309 of the Penal Code should be abolished as those attempting suicide are not criminals but suffering from mental illness, such as depression, which requires psychiatric treatment.

“Criminalising depressed persons or those who are mentally ill is inhumane and unacceptable,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Lee, who is a Mental Health Promotion Advisory Council member, said the government and insurance companies must also extend medical insurance coverage for psychiatric disorders.

He suggested that existing buildings and design of new buildings include barriers to prevent people from jumping off them, and more CCTVs should be installed.

He noted that many such cases occurred at residential buildings, schools or commercial buildings such as shopping complexes.

He said 85% of such cases were fatal and could endanger the lives of passers-by while traumatising witnesses.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (investigation/ legal) deputy director Datuk Mohd Zakaria Ahmad said more than 500 people had committed suicide or attempted suicide over the past four years.