On Tuesday, Malaysia’s law minister announced the latest legal change by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government: decriminalizing suicide attempts.
On Monday, Malaysia’s parliament agreed to abolish natural-life jail terms, reduce the number of capital offenses, and eliminate the mandatory death penalty.
Suicide attempts are punishable by one year in prison, a fine, or both.
On Tuesday, Law Minister Azalina Othman Said said the administration intends to remove that but keep “aiding and abetting” suicide a crime.
The administration also proposed tougher penalties for child and mentally ill suicide assistance.
“Suicidal conduct includes suicide attempts, which are the result of mental incapacity or psychiatric condition,” Azalina stated.
Last year, former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin reported 1,142 suicides in Malaysia, up from 631 in 2020.
In 2019, the World Bank reported 5.7 suicides per 100,000 people.
A law ministry official said Tuesday’s lower house motion to decriminalize suicide attempts would likely be voted on in the next parliament session.
Azalina said the administration expects the change would reduce suicide rates, reduce stigma, and encourage people afflicted to seek treatment.
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