BALING: The government’s move to abolish the mandatory death penalty will not jeopardise the police force’s enforcement efforts, in particular serious crimes, says Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

       The Home Minister said his Ministry backed the decision and stressed that police enforcement and investigations would be carried out as usual.

       ALSO READ: Overhauling the justice system

       "We ourselves, the police themselves share the thought that maybe it is a good thing if there is some relaxation in terms of the mandatory death penalty. Because sometimes when we want to take action, we have evidence but ‘only a thin line’.

       "The death penalty is still in force, just that for certain offences, let the judge decide whether an offender should go to the gallows or serve life imprisonment,” he told a media conference after attenting a Hari Raya Aidilfitri luncheon organised Baling Bersatu division here on Saturday (June 11).

       ALSO READ: Abolition hailed, still lots of work ahead

       Hamzah dispelled the notion that the move would cause more serious crimes to be committed, saying that the death penalty was still in force and police would be on enforcement duties as usual.

       "When there are relaxations like these, it gives the opportunity to think about responsibilities.

       “As judges, they listen to the issues and evidence produced in court, so it's best to leave it to their discretion,” he said. - Bernama