KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will propose an immediate moratorium on bringing charges for attempted suicide cases before it is eventually decriminalised, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

       The Health Minister made the announcement in Parliament, saying that 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 under Section 309 of the Penal Code.

       "The memorandum is requesting that the Cabinet approves an immediate moratorium period on attempted suicide under Section 309 pending the abolishment or amendments (of the provision) in Parliament," Khairy said when wrapping up his ministerial replies on Budget 2022 in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Nov 17).

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

       There had been calls from several quarters to decriminalise the offence of attempted suicide following a rise in suicide cases recently.

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

       Khairy said the proposed paper on the moratorium was being fine-tuned by the ministry's cabinet division before it is presented to Cabinet.