THE government is expected to end executions for drug-related offences first, said Kasthuriraani Patto. 

“There is a consensus among Pakatan Harapan that death penalties will be removed from 39B,” said the Batu Kawan MP after a forum in Shah Alam last night.

Kasthuriraani, who has been a vocal advocate for the abolition of the death penalty, said the proposal will be submitted to the cabinet soon but was unsure if the amendment will be tabled in the current Parliament sitting.

The infamous “39B” refers to a section in the Dangerous Drugs Act where the death sentence was made mandatory in 1983.

Last year, the Barisan Nasional government removed the term “mandatory” to give judges full powers to decide sentences for drug related offences.

During the forum, Kasthuriraani said it is difficult to end the death penalty in Malaysia as many want it maintained.

“After a survey by a local newspaper, some have even asked the authorities to follow China and impose capital punishment for corruption crimes,” said Kasthuriraani.

While civil society groups and human rights activists have continued to work to end capital punishment in Malaysia, they are now treading more carefully, she said.

“After the government said that it wants to end capital punishments, they are treading carefully to ensure there is no backlash.”

As of June 2018, there were 1,267 people on death row with about 900 for drug-related offences. 

In 2016, Malaysia was among 23 countries which executed 1,032 globally with nine executions. 

Besides drug trafficking, Malaysia also imposes the death penalty for murder, treason and terrorism-related crimes. – October 29, 2018.