On April 3, 2023, the Dewan Rakyat (lower house) of Malaysia’s Parliament passed the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Bill 2023. The bill was then passed by the Dewan Negara (upper house) on April 11, 2023. The bill was signed into law by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (king) on May 10, 2023.

The bill abolishes the mandatory death penalty for 11 offenses, including murder, drug trafficking, and terrorism. It also removes the death penalty entirely as an option for seven offenses, including attempted murder and kidnapping. The bill also replaces “natural life imprisonment” with a 30- to 40-year prison term.

The abolition of the mandatory death penalty is a significant step forward for human rights in Malaysia. It is also a sign of the country’s growing alignment with international human rights norms. The bill is expected to come into effect on July 4, 2023.

Here are some of the key provisions of the Abolition of Death Penalty Bill 2023:

The mandatory death penalty is abolished for 11 offenses, including murder, drug trafficking, and terrorism.
The death penalty is removed entirely as an option for seven offenses, including attempted murder and kidnapping.
“Natural life imprisonment” is replaced with a 30- to 40-year prison term.
Judges will have the discretion to consider all the circumstances of a case before deciding on the appropriate sentence, including a prison sentence not exceeding 40 years.
The abolition of the mandatory death penalty is a welcome development in Malaysia. It is a step in the right direction for human rights in the country. The bill is expected to come into effect on July 4, 2023.

Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023