The Star
Nazri said the death penalty was imposed for serious criminal offences in accordance with Article 6(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“Under this provision, in countries that have not abolished the death penalty, the sentence may be imposed only for the most serious crimes in accordance with the law in force at the time of the commission of the crime,” he said.
He added that the right to appeal to higher courts against the death sentence and the right to apply for a pardon was guaranteed by the law.
“The death sentence in Malaysia is not imposed on pregnant women, the mentally-ill, and individuals aged below 18 years at the time the crime was committed,” Nazri said.
To a supplementary question by Datuk Mahfuz Omar (PAS - Pokok Sena) on the rights of states to oil royalties, he said if there were differing views, such matters could be taken to court.
THE Government has yet to decide on whether to do away with the death penalty but welcomes suggestions from those who support its abolition, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz.
He said proposals to abolish the death penalty would be given due consideration after a thorough study was done.
“This (the study) is necessary as the abolition of the death penalty will have a huge impact to the country’s judiciary. Amendments will also need to be made to related criminal laws if the death penalty is abolished,” he told Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) who asked if the Government was ready to amend laws on death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment.
He said proposals to abolish the death penalty would be given due consideration after a thorough study was done.
“This (the study) is necessary as the abolition of the death penalty will have a huge impact to the country’s judiciary. Amendments will also need to be made to related criminal laws if the death penalty is abolished,” he told Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) who asked if the Government was ready to amend laws on death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment.
Nazri said the death penalty was imposed for serious criminal offences in accordance with Article 6(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“Under this provision, in countries that have not abolished the death penalty, the sentence may be imposed only for the most serious crimes in accordance with the law in force at the time of the commission of the crime,” he said.
He added that the right to appeal to higher courts against the death sentence and the right to apply for a pardon was guaranteed by the law.
“The death sentence in Malaysia is not imposed on pregnant women, the mentally-ill, and individuals aged below 18 years at the time the crime was committed,” Nazri said.
To a supplementary question by Datuk Mahfuz Omar (PAS - Pokok Sena) on the rights of states to oil royalties, he said if there were differing views, such matters could be taken to court.
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