Malaysia’s top court reduces first death sentences under new law
- All 11 people, including seven death-row inmates, had their sentences reduced to life imprisonment of 30 years each
- Malaysia’s law minister says the process reflects the government’s commitment to upholding human rights
Malaysia’s top court on Tuesday commuted the death sentences and natural-life prison terms of 11 people convicted of drug trafficking, including two Thai nationals, following capital punishment reforms passed earlier this year, state news agency Bernama reported.
All 11, including seven death-row inmates, had their sentences reduced to life imprisonment of 30 years each, in the first batch of cases being reviewed by the Federal Court following the reforms, Bernama reported.
Malaysian lawmakers in April voted to remove the mandatory death penalty for crimes including drug trafficking and murder, allowing judges to use their discretion on whether to impose capital punishment.
The amendments also saw penalties that call for imprisonment for the duration of the offender’s natural life replaced with a jail term of between 30 and 40 years.
Nearly 1,000 people facing capital punishment or natural-life terms had submitted applications for re-sentencing, said Malaysia’s Law Minister Azalina Othman Said, adding that the process reflected the government’s commitment to upholding human rights.