NO PAROLE FOR CERTAIN OFFENCES
Those who commit heinous crimes will be denied parole
THOSE convicted of heinous crimes, including murder, will not be allowed parole, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Judicial Affairs) Datuk Liew Vui Keong.
He said this was among the decisions reached in the government’s effort to abolish the death sentence, and it would come into effect in due time.
He said certain issues were being ironed out, and gave examples of how parole would be denied for offenders involved in grievous offences.
“For example, those given a life sentence of 30 years for drug-related offences would not have their terms commuted through paroles.
“For heinous crimes, such as the suspect who murdered the 11month-old baby, as reported recently, he will not be allowed parole,” Liew said after attending a town hall organised by Universiti Teknologi Mara titled “Abolish the Death Penalty” here yesterday.
Liew said the cabinet had taken a collective decision to abolish the capital punishment, and it expected that the decision should be accepted by members of the government.
He said those, including ministers, who expressed disagreement with the decision, would be doing so on their personal capacity.
“The cabinet has decided on it. “My work is to carry out the tasks given and comply with the decisions made by the cabinet.
“Ministers who disagree with the policy can have a private opinion on the matter, but no one should go against a collective decision made by the cabinet.”
Liew said the cabinet would have another round of meetings to review the abolishment of the death penalty, as mentioned by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
“I have spoken to the deputy prime minister. I was told the cabinet decision was a collective agreement. All the ministers agreed to it. As of now, the decision to abolish the death penalty on Oct 10 stands.”