The Malaysian Bar is heartened by, and welcomes, the show of compassion and the swift intervention of the Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan of Johore, which resulted in the stay of execution of the death sentence on Chandran s/o Paskaran, scheduled for today.
The Bar also welcomes the chorus of voices of civil society actors that called for the execution to be stayed.
In addition, the Bar commends the Prime Minister and his Government for their role in this matter. The Bar notes that the Malaysian Government has since 2010 announced its willingness to relook at the mandatory death penalty, with a view to its possible abolition or the reintroduction of a discretionary death penalty.
At an event entitled “Dialogue with Members of Parliament on the Reintroduction of Discretionary Sentencing for Capital Punishment” held at Parliament on 14 November 2013, the Government and the Attorney General’s Chambers informed those present that they were in the midst of reviewing the mandatory death penalty.
In light of such review, the authorities and the Government should, in the interests of justice, impose an immediate official moratorium on any and all executions of the death sentence.
The Malaysian Bar is of the view that the death penalty should be abolished, as every individual has an inherent right to life. This right is absolute, universal and inalienable, irrespective of any crimes that may have been committed. The death penalty has no place in a society that values human life, justice and mercy.
The Malaysian Bar reiterates its call on the Malaysian Government to abolish the death penalty without delay. Those who have been sentenced with the mandatory death penalty should all be resentenced.
Christopher Leong
President
Malaysian Bar
7 February 2014