PUTRAJAYA, June 10 – The Malaysian government today announced that it is abolishing the mandatory death sentence and will be studying replacement sentences at the discretion of the court.
In a statement issued today, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the Cabinet has also agreed to the recommendations made by the special committee looking into the matter.
He said a study to be carried out on the sentences that will be replaced for the 11 offences carrying the mandatory death penalty including one on the possession and trafficking of drugs under section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 .
Further study on this will be undertaken jointly with the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) Legal Affairs Division, the Prime Minister’s Department and other interested ministries and departments.
He said a study will be also carried on the country’s criminal justice system.
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