THE Attorney-General’s Chambers is studying possible amendments to laws related to suicide to address the increasing number of such attempts nationwide.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong said the existing laws, including section 309 of the Penal Code, which is currently applied by the authorities, requires a detailed study and consultation with several stakeholders including the ministries of Health; Women, Family and Community Development; Education; Communications and Multimedia; and Youth and Sports; plus the police; the fire and rescue department; Jakim; Befrienders Kuala Lumpur; and the Malaysian Psychiatric Association.

“The study is focused on Sections 309 of the Penal Code for attempted suicide, and Sections 305 and 306 for abetting suicide attempts,” he said during ministers’ question time in Parliament today.

Dr Kevin Yii Lee Wuen (PH-Bandar Kuching) wanted to know the government’s status in trying to decriminalise suicide attempts.

The government, Liew added, was also studying and comparing laws for similar offences committed in other countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Pakistan, and India, to examine the approach taken by these countries.

Responding to a supplementary question by Yii about the length of time to repeal these sections so that those who attempt suicide are not criminalised, Liew said the government had prepared a study paper to be distributed to stakeholders in order to receive feedback and draft a comprehensive national strategy to address the problem.

“This act has existed since before independence, hence the process of decriminalisation will take some time.

“I hope that in the near future we will have laws that will not criminalise suicide attempts but instead seek a holistic solution to help those involved,” he added. – Bernama, October 15, 2019.