THE government today enforced the Penal Code (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2023, the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2023 and the Mental Health (Amendment) Act 2023 - completing efforts to decriminalise attempted suicide in Malaysia.
The Legal Affairs Division, Prime Minister's Department and the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a joint statement said that the amendments were finalised in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day 2025.
The statement said that through the amendment to the Penal Code Act, Section 309 which provides for a prison sentence of up to one year or a fine for individuals who attempt suicide has been abolished.
In addition, the amendment to the Mental Health Act 2001 introduced the role of Crisis Intervention Officers (CIO) consisting of the police, fire department, Malaysian Civil Defence Force, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the Department of Social Welfare.
The statement added that they were given the authority to take individuals who attempted suicide to a psychiatric hospital for examination and initial treatment.
“To support this implementation, almost all MOH hospitals and two university hospitals will be gazetted as government psychiatric hospitals, involving 145 hospitals nationwide including in rural areas.
“Special training for CIOs will also commence in the near future,” the statement said.
However, the government will retain the offence of abetment of suicide and introduce the offence of abetment of attempted suicide under Sections 305 and 306 of the Penal Code, especially involving children and the mentally disabled who are easily manipulated.
The government calls on all parties to work together to foster empathy, eliminate stigma and ensure easy access to treatment for individuals facing mental health crises.
“Anyone facing a mental health problem can contact the Mental Health Crisis Helpline, the Heal Line at 15555 for help.
“It is the Madani Government’s hope that this law reform will be a major shift in efforts to prevent suicide attempts in Malaysia,” it explained. – September 10, 2025
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