Once the mandatory death sentence is abolished by the Federal Court, more than 1300 people on death row have been handed a chance to escape the gallows. They have 90 days to seek a review of their sentence.

The process to end the mandatory death sentence has begun with the tabling of the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Bill 2023 and the Revision of Sentences of Death and imprisonment for Natural Life.

According to a government official the abolition of the mandatory death sentence is aimed at valuing the sanctity of life of every individual while ensuring justice and fairness for all and it includes murdered victims and their families.

According to the official, the policies under these Acts will be a middle path to ensure that justice is presevered for all and those on death row must file an application for a review of their sentence within 90 days.

Death row inmates will only be allowed to make the application once the Federal. Court is empowered to extend the 90day time frame. Both proposed laws are to act retrospectively and allow the court to revise the sentences of 840 death row inmates.

A total of 476 death row inmates who have yet to exhaust their appeal process in court will also be covered by the law and the court will be empowered to revise cases where a convicted person was sentenced to or is serving imprisonment for natural life.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE