In a written parliamentary response to Kota Belud MP Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis, its minister Rina Harun said that between March 2020 and August 2021, nobody had been prosecuted under Section 309 of the Penal Code relating to attempted suicide.

According to the Penal Code, “whoever attempts to commit suicide, and does any act towards the commission of such offence, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with a fine or with both.”

Rina said that between March and December last year, there were 190 attempts nationwide, 138 of which involved men.

This year, she said, there have already been 221 cases, with 159 being men.

She said her ministry had taken a number of steps to help the community deal with psychosocial and emotional problems, even though suicide attempts and mental health are under the jurisdiction of the home and health ministries, including the 24-hour Talian Kasih helpline and online support services staffed by volunteer counsellors.