The NGO called on the government to take concrete steps to fully abolish the death penalty to meet international human rights standards.

“Death sentences are still being handed down, with an alarming 38% of newly imposed death sentences by the High Court being for drug-related offences.

“This raises serious concerns about Malaysia’s commitment to human rights and adherence to international human rights standards,” Vilasini Vijandran, its interim executive director, said in a statement.

Vilasini said drug-related offences do not meet the threshold of the “most serious crimes” for which the death penalty should be reserved under international law.

She also pointed out that while all recent death sentences have come from the High Court, the Federal Court has only upheld 43 sentences, none of which involved drug offences.

Malaysia abolished the mandatory death penalty in July 2023 with the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023.

This reform removed the mandatory death sentence for 11 offences, including murder and terrorism, allowing judges the discretion to impose alternative sentences such as 30 to 40 years of imprisonment and caning.

The law also removed the mandatory death penalty for drug trafficking under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, although it remains an option at judicial discretion.

Following these reforms, data from Parliament showed that Malaysia’s death row population has fallen by nearly 90%, with many sentences converted to long-term imprisonment.

Vilasini said abolishing the death penalty for drug-related offences would set a powerful precedent in the region, especially with Malaysia currently holding the Asean chairmanship.

“It would also considerably strengthen Malaysia’s ability to advocate for its own nationals facing execution overseas once its foreign policy commitments are supported by real and lasting reforms at home,” she said.