PETALING JAYA: The country will take a historic step towards decriminalising suicide bids when the government tables several amendments to the relevant laws during the Dewan Rakyat’s second meeting of the second session of the 15th Parliament beginning tomorrow.
This comes as the amendments to three legislation – namely the Penal Code (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2023, Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) (No. 2) 2023 and Mental Health Act 2001 (Act 615) – are set to be passed by the Lower House.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Legal and Institutional Reforms) Ramkarpal Singh confirmed that the government will be tabling amendments to several laws including the second reading of the Mental Health Act aimed at decriminalising attempted suicide.
“We hope to table the amendments for a second reading and conclude it at least by Tuesday. It is very important to be able to pass it in the Dewan Rakyat as suicide has become a huge problem,” he told The Star yesterday.
The first reading was conducted in the previous sitting. The three Bills consist of four main policies that include the abolition of Section 309 of the Penal Code rendering suicide a criminal offence, increasing penalties for those who instigate victims to commit suicide, and to separate the categories related to victims by enhancing Sections 305 and 306 of the Penal Code as well as establishing the role of crisis intervention officers.
Under the present law, a person who attempts suicide can face criminal prosecution and a one-year jail term, fine or both upon conviction.
Ramkarpal said it was important to find a holistic approach to the worrying issue.
“If persons are having a problem, they need to be sent to the clinic or hospital so that they can get the necessary medical attention,” he added.
The coming Dewan Rakyat sitting will last until June 15. According to Parliament’s Order Paper published on its website, the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill 2023, Fees (Department of Broadcasting Malaysia) (Validation) Bill 2023 and Printing of Quranic Texts (Amendment) Bill 2023 will also be tabled.
Political analyst Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said he hopes the debates during this sitting will be more “civilised” with the new MPs having gained some experience during the previous sittings.
“We are hoping that a more functional Opposition will be observed to ensure they play an effective check and balance role,” he added.
He said he also hopes that the Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQT) will be utilised by the Opposition to give better input to improve the current system and parliamentary institutions.
The role of Special Select Committees should also be strengthened, he added.
“This could also be the last sitting before the preparation for the six state elections. It will be interesting to see if both the government and the Opposition want to make national issues their agenda such as the cost of living, economy, job opportunities, education, unity, interfaith (matters), foreign workers issues and the sovereignty of the nation,” he said.
Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim of PKR said he expected the sitting to be lively and challenging.
“I also expect the government’s withdrawal of its appeal with respect to the case involving the ‘Allah’ issue (to be raised).
“Due to six state elections being called soon, Perikatan Nasional will capitalise on the issue to discredit the unity government, Pakatan Harapan and mainly Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he added.
PAS’ Pendang MP Datuk Awang Hashim said the Opposition MPs had submitted their questions for ministers to answer.
“We hope to get proper answers from them,” he said.
He said there should be no problem for Opposition MPs to raise any issue in Parliament.
“It is not because of the six state elections or the start of Parliament. We have the right to raise questions and the government must be able to answer us,” he added.
