Kyoto Bar Association looks to Malaysia to learn about journey towards death penalty abolition

Joint Public Statement
2 October 2024

Amnesty International Malaysia
The Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN)

Between the 18th and 19th of September, members of the Kyoto Bar Association visited Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and met with senior officials from the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department, legal professionals, and human rights activists to learn about the long-term strategies that led to Malaysia’s landmark abolition of the mandatory death penalty in 2023.

On Wednesday, 18 September 2024, the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN), together with Amnesty International Malaysia (AIM), hosted a roundtable discussion titled “Resentencing and Reform: Exploring Malaysia’s Journey to Secure the Abolition of the Mandatory Death Penalty” to share insights into the step-by-step processes and advocacy efforts that contributed to this significant reform.

The cross-regional event provided a unique opportunity for the abolitionist movement in Malaysia to share their experiences with the members of the Kyoto Bar Association from Japan.

This roundtable shed light on the long-standing campaign to end the death penalty in Malaysia which has built significant momentum over the past few decades and ultimately led to landmark legislative reform in 2023, with the abolition of the mandatory death penalty and the repeal of the death penalty in full for several offenses.

During the session, YB Ramkarpal Singh (the former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department – Law and Institutional Reforms) urged for there to be a shift away from a punitive mindset in the criminal justice system towards one focused on rehabilitation, emphasizing also the need to educate the public on the death penalty’s ineffectiveness as a deterrent.

Echoing his views, Kasthuri Patto (former Member of Parliament) highlighted how the issue is often politicized, leading to false perceptions that crime rates will skyrocket if the death penalty were to be abolished. She stressed the importance of considering broader intersectional aspects such as the risk of executing an innocent person, the unfairness of trials, and the discriminatory nature of the death penalty.

The roundtable also explored the role of the Malaysian Bar Council, as well as other civil society organisations including ADPAN and Amnesty International Malaysia, who were among the many actors that each played a unique role in campaigning and advocating for reforms to the country’s death penalty laws.

Additionally, discussions covered advocacy efforts for Malaysians facing the death penalty abroad, particularly in Singapore. Angelia Pranthaman, the sister of a Malaysian national Pannir Selvam Pranthaman who currently is at imminent risk of execution in Singapore, spoke about her experience advocating on behalf of her brother’s case. She was joined by her lawyer, Zaid Malek, from Lawyers for Liberty Malaysia, as well as Kirsten Han, from the Transformative Justice Collective in Singapore who expanded on the critical role of the media in shaping public opinion and bolstering advocacy efforts.

The event concluded with a screening of the documentary film “Menunggu Masa,” which explores the impact of the death penalty on family members of those on death row. Chaired by Sherrie Razak Dali, co-director of Menunggu Masa, the discussion highlighted how creative arts could shape the discourse around the death penalty and help change public perceptions. 

By sharing their experience and successful strategies with regional counterparts, Malaysia’s anti-death penalty advocates have inspired further collaboration and learning across borders. As regional and global momentum builds, Malaysia’s reforms continue to resonate, fostering hope for a future free from the death penalty in Asia and beyond.

ADPAN has been at the forefront of advocating for the abolition of the death penalty together with long-standing partners, such as Amnesty International Malaysia, since the formation of this advocacy in Malaysia and continues to work with partners in this commitment in Malaysia and the rest of the Asia Pacific.