KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 835 prisoners have been spared the death sentence so far after review, says M. Kulasegaran.
The Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said that this was the latest figure on Sept 26, since the Federal Court has been empowered to review the death sentences and natural life imprisonment imposed on 1,020 inmates.
“115 prisoners also had their sentences of imprisonment for natural life reviewed to fixed term imprisonment,” he said during his opening address of the Forum on Reform of Laws in Malaysia.
This is life-changing for the 950 individuals, he added.
The courts were given the power under Revision of Sentence of Death and Imprisonment for Natural Life (Temporary Jurisdiction of the Federal Court) Act 2023 (Act 847), which was passed in April last year.
"Law reform is crucial for promoting social justice, equality and protection of human rights.
"As the society evolves, laws must adapt to address issues such as gender equality and access to justice for all," he said.
Along with the reviewing of death sentences, the ministry has also reformed other laws including the decriminalisation of attempted sucide and a second change policy for bankrupts with the amendment to the Insolvency Act 1967.
Separately, he also commented about the reform to the Legal Profession Act, which will be tabled in Parliament next month.
He also said that it was not neccesary to increase the fees for the Certificate of Legal Practice by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB).
“We realised there are millions of ringgit in the coffers of LPQB, and there is no necessity to increase the fees,” he said.
He also said that a Common Bar exam would be very difficult but the ministry will raise these issues in Parliament, if possible, to be debated.
He also said that the ministry hopes to have the Mental Capacity Act ready by next March.
The forum held on Friday, Sept 27 aims to foster a constructive dialogue on potential reforms that could enhance the effectiveness and fairness of Malaysia's legal system.
Bar Council Civil Law and Law Reform co-chairperson Datuk Seri M. Ramachelvam renewed the call for establishing an independent Law Commission so that Malaysian laws can be reviewed holistically.
"The Bar Council already had a bill and we are willing to work with the government to make the Law Commission a reality," he said, during his closing remarks.
Even small countries like Fiji, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands have Law Commissions, Malaysia as a mid-sized country should also follow suit, he said.
Separately, Suhakam chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus said that Malaysia should be a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention to better protect refugees in the country.
"There are 148 countries who are parties to the convention and I am ashamed that Malaysia is yet to be a part of the convention," he said.
He said that once Malaysia is a party to the convention, necessary legislation can be passed, such as a Refugee Act.
"Once we have the legislation, we can pass a provision that will make the presence of refugees in the country legal," he said.
