PETALING JAYA: The moratorium on enforcing Section 309 of the Penal Code for attempted suicide remains, pending amendments for its abolishment.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Legal and Institutional Reforms) Ramkarpal Singh said a Cabinet meeting on March 31 agreed to abolish the section and implement a moratorium on its enforcement pending amendments to be approved by the Dewan Rakyat and subsequently the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Ramkarpal said MPs had approved the Penal Code (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill to abolish Section 309 in a move to decriminalise suicide in Malaysia on May 22.

"Hence, it is clear that the moratorium is still in effect and no prosecution can be held under the section," Ramkarpal said in a statement on Saturday (June 10).

He was referring to a case of an alleged attempted suicide by a student which was reported in a Malay daily.

The report stated that the police would carry out investigations into the case under Section 309.

Ramkarpal said the government remained steadfast in its stance that Section 309 no longer had a place in the country.

"An attempted suicide case should be addressed based on rehabilitative, medical approach," he said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/06/10/moratorium-on-legal-action-for-suicide-attempts-remains-says-ramkarpal