Time To Fully Abolish The Death Penalty

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MP SPEAKS | Today is the World Day Against the Death Penalty, and it falls in the aftermath of the execution of two Malaysians in the past three weeks in Singapore.
I could not help but feel moved by the executions of K Datchinamurthy and P Pannir Selvam, just as I was by that of D Nagaenthran three years ago.
The executions in Singapore contrast sharply with Malaysia, which in April 2023 abolished the mandatory death penalty.
This step by the Madani government allowed the judiciary greater discretion to convert death sentences to jail terms.
Indeed, it is now eight and a half years since the last execution in Malaysia, which happened on May 24, 2017, when two men were hanged in Sungai Buloh prison.
Since then, Malaysia has halted all executions, earning international goodwill and recognition.
The most vulnerable are worst affected
I would be proud if the government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim could take the step of fully abolishing the death penalty, which carries the inherent risk of disproportionately executing minor drug mules and an overall incompatibility with human rights.
While it is still an emotional issue, we must concede that a majority of the 900-plus people still on death row are there for drug-related crimes, and they are often drug mules and addicts, not the kingpins.
Indeed, many come from marginalised and disenfranchised groups such as the B40.
Another major factor is that evidence gathering has proved to be unreliable in certain cases, including planted evidence and confessions extorted through torture.
Just imagine how many innocent people have lost their lives over the years, especially before the advent of DNA testing.
I would like to see life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or pardon fully replace the death penalty in Malaysia.
And the time to act is not tomorrow or the distant future. The time to act is now. - Mkini
R YUNESWARAN is Segamat MP.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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