THE Dewan Negara today passed two bills related to decriminalising attempted suicide.

They are the Penal Code (Amendment)(No.2) Bill 2023, and Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment)(No.2) 2023.

The bills were tabled for first reading by Law and Institutional Reform Minister Azalina Othman Said on April 4 and were passed in the Dewan Rakyat on May 22. 

While winding up the debate, Deputy Law and Institutional Reform Minister Ramkarpal Singh said there are several provisions for a person who attempts suicide to be taken to a medical facility for treatment.

“The priority in these amendments is to rehabilitate a person who is thinking of taking his or her own life. That will also take a long time because it involves a psychological process and so on to rehabilitate a person,” he said.

Azalina earlier said the bill to decriminalise attempted suicide contains four measures, including the retention of the offence of abetting suicide under sections 305 and 306 of the penal code.

She said it also differentiates categories for those who are incited to commit the actions of attempted suicide or suicide.

Other measures include amendments to the Mental Health Act 2001 that will define the positions and powers of crisis intervention officers, as well as a moratorium for section 309 of the penal code to take effect until the repeal of the section is completed and gazetted.

The debate on the Mental Health Act 2001 will continue tomorrow. – Bernama, June 20, 2023.