New Straits Times-Oct 18
The death penalty will be replaced with a sentence of minimum 30 years behind bars said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law), Datuk Liew Vui Keong.
He said in the proposed amendment to Section 39 (B) of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952, for instance, where a convicted offender was subjected to the mandatory death sentence, in addition there are also 17 other criminal offences that imposed the same sentence.
These offences, include waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, terrorism, murder, attempted murder during a life imprisonment, killing victims during kidnapping, possessing and using firearms as well as rape leading to death and rape of minors. Liew said this in his speech at the Community Combat – DAPS (CCD) program here today.
His speech text was read-out by his political secretary, Martin Tommy.
Liew said based on the Prison Department’s record, until October 11, there were 932 prisoners convicted or sentenced to death under Section 39 (B) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
However, he said, since 2014 until the present, no execution had taken place on those waiting in the death row for the xeceution of their sentence.
He said execution on those condemned is still pending due to the moratorium imposed on the death sentence as well as no execution warrant being issued for the purpose by the Prisons Department.
“However, on October 10, I had announced on behalf of the government that all offences involving the death penalty, including Section 39 (B) of the Dangerous Drug Act will be repealed and the (death) sentence should not be enforced.
“The bill to repeal (death sentence) will be tabled in Parliament after the memorandum on the matter was approved by the Cabinet,” he said.
In this regard, Lim, who is also the Batu Sapi Member of Parliament, called on the Pardons Board to consider suspending the death sentence on those currently convicted and facing execution.
He said that pursuant to Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, the Pardons Board has the authority to grant a pardon, delay the execution of the death sentence in respect of any offence which had been tried by the court without compromising any legal provisions of Federal laws.
“The Pardons Board may also consider releasing prisoners who had been waiting for more than 20 years (for the execution of the death sentence) depending on the situation,” he said.
He said that to date, the number of prisoners facing the death penalty for committing an offence under Section 39 (B) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 stood at 1,267.
