Explain delay in abolishing death penalty, Ambiga tells Putrajaya
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PUTRAJAYA must explain the delay in abolishing the death penalty and other oppressive laws, said former Malaysian Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan.
She reminded Pakatan Harapan that such laws are still in use despite the pact’s election promise to do away with them.
Ambiga urged de facto law minister Liew Vui Keong to speed up plans to abolish the death penalty, which was announced last October.
There will always be people who support and continue to believe in the benefits of draconian laws, she said.
“They want to keep these laws because it is easier to have oppressive legislation than laws based on human rights.
On the death penalty, the Institutional Reform Committee member said: “Firstly, there is evidence that it just does not work. Of course, there will be a group of about 100 people coming out and saying it works, with no evidence to back up their claim.
“To me, revenge cannot be the basis for punishment. The death penalty must go.”
Many quarters have called on the government to quickly abolish the death penalty, to prove it is not going back on its word.
On Thursday, Liew said the cabinet will decide on the tabling of a proposal to abolish capital punishment before the Dewan Rakyat convenes next month.
Ambiga also addressed the government’s failure to properly explain why it made a U-turn on the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
“They should have gotten the relevant people to address the FAQs (frequently asked questions). Because it was not done, the opposition played it up for political reasons and managed to hoodwink the people on ICERD.”
She said it is Putrajaya’s responsibility to explain the treaty in simple terms, adding that its decision to not ratify ICERD is a sign of weakness.
“Reform requires nerves of steel if you are convinced that something is for the good of the country. This is why you stand your ground when you explain yourself.
“Did the government stand their ground? No. They immediately backed down.
“This government, if we make enough noise, they will back off. Back off too soon.” – February 17, 2019.