SUPPORT for decriminalising suicide by amending the law is gaining momentum, says Deputy Health Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.

       He informed Parliament that both the Home Ministry and Attorney General’s Chambers agreed to the amendments to Section 309 of the Penal Code.

       “The proposed amendments are at the stage where they will be brought to the Cabinet first, before they are tabled in Parliament,” he said when answering a question by Che Alias Hamid (PN-Kemaman) in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

       There have been calls from various quarters and civil society for the government to decriminalise attempted suicide.

       Under Section 309, a person is liable to a one-year imprisonment, fine, or both, if found guilty of attempted suicide.

       M. Kulasegaran (PH-Ipoh Barat) welcomed the announcement by the Deputy Health Minister.

       “Please table it in Parliament as soon as possible so that we can support it,” said Kulasegaran, who said there were 1,708 suicides between January and May this year.

       “What is worrying is that of these cases, 872 or 51%, involved youths,” he said.

       Kulasegaran wanted to know what was being done to help those suffering from mental health issues due to Covid-19 and long periods under restricted movement.

       Aaron Ago informed the House that the National Mental Health Strategic Plan would be launched on Sunday in conjunction with World Mental Health Day.

       He said the plan, which will be until 2025, would focus on collaboration between government and non-governmental organisations to assist those affected with mental health issues, particularly due to the pandemic.