Abstract
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only twenty-three countries have not decriminalized suicide yet; the others have reclassified it as a mental health issue. Up until recently, S. 309 of the Penal Code of Malaysia classified attempted suicide as a crime. But a new bill was approved on May 22, 2023, which signalled a substantial change in policy. Although it's an important first step, decriminalization indicates that suicide prevention and recovery require a more comprehensive strategy. Malaysia does, however, encounter difficulties, chief among them being the lack of thorough data necessary to assess the policy's effectiveness. This research is to investigate the reasons behind Malaysia's decision to decriminalize suicide, analyse the impacts of the law, and provide recommendations, especially to overcome data shortages. Malaysia's decision to decriminalize suicide is clearly a progressive approach to tackling suicide-related concerns, as demonstrated by the qualitative and quantitative examination of legal provisions, cases, and articles. Decriminalization sets the stage for future drops in suicide rates, even if its immediate effects would not be as great, assuming that further measures are implemented.
Rupinii A/P Govindasamy, Universiti Utara Malaysia
Sharvin A/L Thangaraj, Universiti Utara Malaysia
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