Malaysia to abolish mandatory death penalty in move welcomed by rights campaigners
CNN
Malaysia's government announced that it will abolish the mandatory death penalty, giving court judges the discretion to impose "alternative punishments accordingly".
In a statement, Malaysian law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said mandatory death sentences for serious crimes would be replaced by "alternative punishments" at the discretion of the courts.
"This shows the government's emphasis on ensuring that the rights of all parties are protected and guaranteed, reflecting the transparency of the country's leadership in improving the criminal justice system," he said.
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