Malaysia’s progress in death penalty reform
The Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN) has reported that there has been a significant decline in death sentences and the number of people on death row in Malaysia has significantly declined.
Since shifting away from a mandatory sentencing framework to adopting a discretionary framework, data has revealed that between November 2023 and October 2024, the number of people on death has declined from more than 1300 down to 140.
This change has allowed the Federal Court of Malaysia to review each sentence and consider mitigating factors to give second changes to many people sentenced to death.
Further, it has also improved Malaysia’s compliance with international human rights standards as they adopt a rehabilitative approach to justice.