Following the Malaysian government’s announcement of a comprehensive study on the total abolition of the death penalty, Amnesty International Malaysia emphasized that this review represents a crucial opportunity for the country to demonstrate a firm commitment to human rights. Nicole Fong, Research and Advocacy Officer at Amnesty International Malaysia, highlighted that while the 2023 reforms—abolishing the mandatory death penalty and reducing capital offences—were positive steps, systemic flaws and unfair practices in the application of the death penalty persist.
Fong stressed that Malaysia must continue on a clear path toward total abolition, describing the death penalty as a cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment. She urged the government to ensure that the upcoming review goes beyond doctrinal study and aligns with international human rights law and standards. Amnesty International noted that delaying abolition puts lives at risk and leaves families in uncertainty, emphasizing that the death penalty does not enhance public safety.
The government plans to establish a Policy and Direction Review Working Group on the Death Penalty in collaboration with the Malaysian Law Reform Committee to conduct the study, which is scheduled to begin in January 2026 and run for four months, with possible extensions to ensure a thorough and inclusive review. This initiative follows Malaysia’s landmark 2023 decision to abolish the mandatory death penalty and reduce its scope, which affected over 1,000 death sentences.
Despite these reforms, Amnesty International has identified ongoing concerns regarding the assessment of mitigating factors in sentencing, which may contribute to continued imposition of the death penalty. As of 11 November 2025, 97 individuals remain on death row in Malaysia, with 50 having exhausted all appeals and eligible to apply for a pardon. Amnesty International reiterated its unconditional opposition to the death penalty, noting that 113 countries have abolished it entirely and nearly three-quarters of countries are abolitionist in law or practice.
