Its president, Abdul Fareed Abdul Gafoor, said the government had on several occasions indicated its commitment to decriminalise attempted suicide, with the aim to table the relevant amendments to the Penal Code later this year.
“If this is the direction in which the government is heading, this policy must be effected across the various branches of government and should result in the imposition of a moratorium on the further use of this provision,” he said in a statement.
Fareed was commenting on the sentencing of a disabled man, who tried to hang himself in Kuala Terengganu on Dec 23, to six months in prison under Section 309 of the Penal Code for attempted suicide.
Two days ago, de facto law minister Liew Vui Keong reaffirmed the government’s commitment to decriminalise attempted suicide, stating that he was hopeful that amendments to the Penal Code would be tabled as early as mid-2020.
Fareed also said the fact that the provision still exists in the Penal Code and has been used against an individual that is already going through various adversities, does not reflect a government that is reformist, mature and understanding of its people.
“The charging and sentencing of Mohamad Sani Isa, in this case, sends out a completely inappropriate message to the world at large that Malaysian society is uncaring and lacks empathy towards its troubled citizens.”
He went on to say that individuals going through hardship should instead be given access to “assistance, support and sympathy from the authorities and society”.
Fareed said it was unfair to surrender such individuals to the already overcrowded and overburdened prison system.
“The fact that the individual in this case, being both disabled and depressed, was not offered any relief, but was instead subjected to this archaic provision and, in the absence of legal representation, sentenced to prison, is a great injustice.”
Fareed said the government should consider rehabilitative solutions and review and strengthen support mechanisms for those in similar situations.