On 3 April, the Malaysian House of Representatives passed legislation to cancel the mandatory death sentence for 12 offences, including drug offences that account for most death sentences in the country.
When the measure is also passed by the Senate, where it is not expected to be amended, the judge will have the discretion to set the sentence, weighing the seriousness of the crime and considering any mitigating circumstances. In addition, persons already sentenced to death will be able to request a retrial.
A moratorium on executions has been in place in Malaysia since 2018.