THE Health Ministry will propose an immediate moratorium on charges brought against those who attempt suicide, says its minister Khairy Jamaluddin (pic).

       He added that the paperwork on the proposal is being finalised for approval by the government.

       “On efforts to decriminalise attempted suicide, the ministry’s patient management division together with input from the medical development division has prepared a Cabinet paper on a moratorium on attempted suicide (charges) under Section 309 of the Penal Code.

       “The memorandum requested that the Cabinet approves an immediate moratorium period on attempted suicide (charges) under Section 309 pending the abolishment or amendments (of the provision) in Parliament,” Khairy said when wrapping up his ministerial replies on Budget 2022.

       Currently, those charged with attempted suicide can be jailed up to one year or fined or both if convicted.

       There have been calls by several groups for the government to decriminalise the offence of attempted suicide.

       Based on police statistics, 638 reports of suicide were recorded as of July this year, an increase of 262 cases from that recorded between January and July 2020.

       Khairy said that the proposed paper on the moratorium is being fine-tuned by the ministry before it is presented to the Cabinet.

       Earlier, Khairy informed the House that RM70mil will be allocated next year for mental healthcare, including allocations for NGOs and those operating hotline numbers involved with mental healthcare.

       He noted that this was an increase from RM24.6mil allocated for the same purpose this year.

       “Of the RM70mil, RM40mil will be channelled to the Health Ministry while the remaining RM30mil will go to the Women, Family and Community Development and Higher Education ministries,” he added.

       On calls to hotline numbers for help, Khairy said that a total of 232,873 calls were made between March 25 last year and Nov 7 this year.

       He said the calls were on various issues such as loss of jobs and incomes, and domestic and family problems.

       Of this total, he added that 193,041 calls or 79.9% were those which sought emotional support and counselling.