KUALA LUMPUR – A total of 788 Malaysians are currently on death row, including four for kidnapping, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan.
In a parliamentary reply, Takiyuddin said an additional 536 foreign nationals have also been sentenced to death as of October 24.
Among the Malaysians facing the noose, the minister in charge of law said 472 were sentenced for trafficking drugs, murder (296), possessing or use of firearms without a licence (14), kidnapping for ransom (4) and gang robbery-cum-murder (2).
“As for non-Malaysians, 440 were sentenced for drug trafficking, murder (85), while the rest are for waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, use of firearms and kidnapping for ransom,” he said.
On the government’s plan to abolish the mandatory death penalty, Takiyuddin said a special committee studying the matter has completed its final report, which is now being reviewed by the government.
“This is to ensure that the interest of the rakyat is taken into account, including on the aspect of crime prevention, the effects on victims’ families and public awareness,” he said.
Currently, 11 offences carry the mandatory death penalty in Malaysia, with 21 other offences carrying capital punishment under the discretion of the court. – The Vibes, November 27, 2020
788 Malaysians among 1,324 facing the noose: Takiyuddin
Convicts on death row for offences such as kidnapping for ransom, waging war against the Agong
Updated 5 years ago · Published on 27 Nov 2020 12:29PM
