GEORGE TOWN – It is time to repeal Section 309 of the Penal Code that criminalises attempted suicide as cases surge during the pandemic.
Instead of punishing the victims, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh said that the focus should be on facilitating access to appropriate care in a professional and sensitive manner.
Those found guilty of attempted suicide face imprisonment of up to a year, a fine or both.
Ramkarpal said in a statement that India, which shares a similar penal system with Malaysia, decriminalised suicide in 2014, while Singapore did the same in 2019.
It was recently reported that Malaysia recorded 468 suicide cases in the first five months of this year, up from 631 last year and 609 in 2019.
Selangor saw 117 cases between January and May, the highest among the states. In comparison, Johor recorded 101 cases between 2019 and last year.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had also recently said the state recorded 53 suicides and 19 attempted cases between January and May.
According to the police, the three main causes are family problems, emotional pressure and financial stress.
The World Health Organisation said at least 59 countries have decriminalised suicide, including in Europe, North America, much of South America and parts of Asia.
Data from countries that have decriminalised suicide, including Canada and New Zealand, show that suicide rates have not increased after decriminalisation. – The Vibes, July 9, 2021
