Law Minister Ajlina Othman said in a statement on Tuesday that the government wanted to repeal it, but would retain “aiding and abetting” suicide as a criminal offence.
The government also proposes to strengthen punishment in cases of suicide involving children and the mentally challenged.
“It is based on the fact that suicide attempts are within the scope of suicidal behavior and that the act is an effect of mental incapacity or mental disorder,” Ajlina said.
In comments made last year, former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin said Malaysia was set to record 1,142 suicides in 2021, compared to 631 in 2020.
