Wan Azizah wants suicide law repealed in next Parliament session
Pandan MP Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has urged the government to repeal Section 309 of the Penal Code, which criminalises suicide attempts, in the next Dewan Rakyat session on Oct 25.
The PKR lawmaker said she welcomed the government's effort to decriminalise suicide attempts.
However, Wan Azizah wants the government to submit the proposal to Parliament as soon as possible for three reasons.
"First, mental illness has become increasingly acute now that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused considerable stress to the lives of the people.
"The second reason is that individuals who attempt suicide should not be punished," she said in a statement today, adding that they should instead be treated for their mental disorders with strategies of prevention, rehabilitation and treatment.
"Thirdly, the proposal had been discussed for more than two years, and it was decided at that time for the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) to study the proposal to remove suicide attempts from the Penal Code," she added.
The proposal, Wan Azizah said, was one of five key points decided at a meeting the former deputy prime minister chaired in June 2019, when she was at the helm of the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to discuss growing mental health issues.
That meeting also decided to declare October as the mental health wellness month.
"This awareness month can be used as a platform to obtain input from stakeholders so that the AGC can propose legal amendments to be submitted in the next session," she added.
The ongoing Dewan Rakyat session, which started on Sept 13 will sit for 17 days until Oct 12. The next session is expected to be held from Oct 25 to Dec 16.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the AGC was considering decriminalising suicide attempts.
Calls for the decriminalisation of suicide have been making rounds for a long time.
Under Section 309 of the Penal Code, anyone who attempts to commit suicide can be sentenced to up to a year in jail or a fine, or both.
Proponents are saying that individuals attempting suicide should receive mental healthcare instead of criminal punishments which will only further add stigma to the victims.
The Health Ministry previously backed a push to decriminalise suicide, with its director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah and minister Khairy Jamaluddin speaking out on mental health.
If you are feeling depressed or suicidal, or know someone who is, please call the following hotlines:
Talian Kasih
15999
The Befrienders
03-76272929
Agape Counselling Centre Malaysia
03-77855955 or 03-77810800
Life Line Association Malaysia
03-42657995
- Mkini
✍ Credit given to the original owner of this post : ☕ Malaysians Must Know the TRUTH
🌐 Hit This Link To Find Out More On Their Articles...🏄🏻♀️ Enjoy Surfing!
Post a Comment