| Tuesday, 5 October 2021 01:00 PM MYT |
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By Prof. Dato’ Dr Andrew Mohanraj
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Recently, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the Attorney-General’s Chambers is examining the legal options and implications of removing attempted suicide as a criminal offence.
This is an indication that Parliament may consider reviewing Section 309 of the Penal Code, which makes attempted suicide a criminal act.
The Prime Minister also called for a holistic approach when examining the issue of suicide.
Mental health stakeholders have wholeheartedly welcomed this announcement.
The Green Ribbon Group had long ago initiated a public discourse on not only reviewing Section 309 of the Penal Code, but also for the courts to consider using the relevant provisions in the Mental Health Act 2001 and the Mental Health Regulations 2010, without the need to refer to Section 309.
To be fair to our criminal justice system, justice has always been tempered with mercy when it comes to cases involving suicide most of the time.