PUTRAJAYA has proposed a moratorium on section 309 of the penal code that punishes those who attempt to commit suicide until all amendments related of this bill is passed and properly gazetted.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said said the implementation of this will facilitate matters related to enforcement and prosecution.

“The abolition of the offence of attempted suicide is an effort by the Madani government to prevent suicide cases,” the Pengerang lawmaker said in a statement today.

“It is hoped that it will encourage those who are affected to come forward to seek help, remove the stigma against suicide and further reduce the suicide death rate in Malaysia.”

Section 309 of the penal code states that a person attempting to commit suicide faces imprisonment of up to one year, a fine or both.

Among the bills relating to the abolition of the offence are the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2023, Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill 2023 and Mental Health Bill (Amendment) 2023.

Azalina’s statement was to explain amendments to bills that will decriminalise suicide, which were tabled in the Dewan Rakyat today for first reading. – April 4, 2023.