“Papers for Cabinet consideration have been finalised. We hope to table the bill in Parliament sometime next week, ” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

He said changes proposed included removal of the word “mandatory” with regard to the death sentence for 11 serious offences.

Once passed, he said, judges would have the discretion to impose 30 years imprisonment or life imprisonment, instead of the death sentence.

Nine offences fall under the Penal Code and two under the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971.

However, Liew said the proposed changes in the bill did not include the death sentence under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which would be looked at separately.

Asked if the new law would be retrospective, Liew said they were still considering the matter.

He said this was because there was a moratorium on the death sentence being imposed upon conviction, including the appeal process to the Pardons Board.

Liew added the move to abolish the mandatory death sentence was in line with the Pakatan Harapan election manifesto.