National Coalition for Mental Wellbeing Welcomes Statement by Deputy Health Minister II, Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang on Progress to Decriminalise Attempted Suicide of the Penal Code and Calls for Expeditious Tabling of the Legislation to Amend Section 309 Of The Penal Code (Act 574)
NCMW Statement 8th October 2021 10pm
The Deputy Health Minister II, Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang stated on the 7th of October 2021 during the Ministers’ Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat that efforts have been underway to abolish attempted suicide as a criminal offence. He added that both the Home Ministry and the Attorney General’s Chambers are agreeable to abolishing Section 309 of the Penal Code (Act 574) which criminalises attempted suicide.
The National Coalition for Mental Wellbeing (NCMW) is deeply heartened by the statement made by the Deputy Minister. We thank the Home Minister, the Health Minister and the Attorney General’s Chambers for the proposal to abolish Section 309 of the Penal Code (Act 574).
In line with this, the NCMW calls for the expeditious tabling of the relevant legislation in Parliament to decriminalise attempted suicide given that the issue has been long standing. The NCMW also calls for the Bill to repeal Section 309 of the Penal Code (Act 574) to be tabled in the current sitting of Parliament as there is a need to act with urgency on this pressing matter.
In the interim, the NCMW proposes the Government maintain its commitment by withdrawing all pending charges under Section 309 of the Penal Code (Act 574) and imposing a moratorium and not proffering any new charges under the same section.
The NCMW is encouraged by the efforts that have been ongoing and extends our sincere appreciation to the Government as well as the governmental agencies involved in the process. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the countless individuals, organisations and movements that have been collectively and tirelessly advocating for this worthy cause.
Decriminalisation Focus Group
National Coalition for Mental Wellbeing
8th October 2021