Kuala Lumpur: The mandatory death penalty for 11 crimes, such as trafficking in drugs, possessing illegal weapons, and kidnapping, has been eliminated in Malaysia as the first step in the process.

Its Monday-introduced parliamentary bill will also abolish life sentences and replace them with 30- to 40-year prison terms and a minimum of 12 lashes of whipping.

The goal of abolishing the death penalty is to respect and value each person's life. Law Minister Azalina Othman S, who introduced the bill, said in a statement that the policies suggested by it are a compromise that will ensure justice is preserved for all.

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"I am extremely appreciative that the unity government has taken action to end the mandatory death penalty,"

The move supported by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's unity government, which took office in November, is anticipated to have an impact on hundreds of prisoners who have not finished filing their court appeals. The Federal Court will instead review those cases.

Although the new law does not entirely abolish the death penalty, it gives judges the authority to enact alternatives.

Dobby Chew, executive director of the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network, stated in a statement that "the effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent is questionable at best."

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According to him, "there are important indicators that show the death penalty is counterproductive in that it supports or facilitates crime syndicates, particularly for drug offences."

"A progressive step towards significant reform of the criminal justice system," he called Malaysia's action.

In Malaysia, where more than 1,300 prisoners are on death row, a disproportionately high number when compared to other nations in the region, a moratorium on the death penalty has been in place since 2018.

Kasthuri Patto, a Malaysian politician and supporter of the abolishment of the death penalty, told Arab News that the government's decision was timely and that she was pleased with it.

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Remember that the death penalty is a colonial law, but even colonial masters have abolished it in some countries, like the UK, Patto said. "Now is the time to investigate this alternative. I hope with this announcement, the government will seriously look into prison reforms as well.”