THE government has agreed to set up a special committee to look for alternatives to the mandatory death penalty.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong said in a statement today that the decision was made by the Cabinet on August 29, with the special committee to be chaired by a former chief justice.

The panel will also comprise former Federal Court judges, former Attorney-General’s Chambers officers, former senior officers of the Prisons Department, representatives of the Malaysian Bar, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, academics, criminologists and civil society organisations.

“The government is taking a cautious step by setting up this special committee to ensure that an alternative sentence, which is commensurate with the criminal offence, is imposed, taking into account the implications on and welfare of the victim,” Liew said.

He said the repeal of the mandatory death penalty will give the judge discretion to impose the sentence or choose an alternative, based on the facts of the case.

Liew said the proposal to repeal the mandatory death penalty was a Pakatan Harapan manifesto pledge. – Bernama, September 6, 2019.