IPOH: A decision on the abolishment of the death penalty would be made soon after a special committee presents its findings, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

       He said the committee’s findings would be presented to the Cabinet, and a final decision would be made after that.

       A Bill to amend the laws related to the death penalty, as well as other related legislation, is expected to be tabled in Parliament by the third quarter of next year, he said.

       “One critical element on the proposal is to evaluate the effectiveness of capital punishment as a deterrent. But since there has been repeated calls to abolish the death penalty, as a minister, I need to assess the effectiveness of these punishments as a deterrent.

       “We must study this thoroughly before making any decision, as we also need to see if rehabilitation of convicts would be a better option in the best interests of the society,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       Wan Junaidi said the committee established in 2019 was set up to gauge the public’s response to the proposal as well as to examine the ramifications of such a decision.

       He said the committee was asked to look into the issue from several aspects, as well as taking into consideration the views of the various stakeholders.

       “The study on the issue is in consonant with the government’s aspirations to rehabilitate criminals, and later assimilate them back into the community.

       “If they have done their time, paid their dues, showed genuine remorse for what they have done and have been completely rehabilitated, we should not close the door on them,” he added.