Malaysia
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy
- CONSTITUTION
- August 31, 1957, amended several times, last in 2007
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on English common law; legislative acts reviewed by the Supreme Court; Islamic law applies to Muslims in family and religious matters
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral, Senate (Dewan Negara) and House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat)
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- civil courts include: Federal Court, Court of Appeal, and High Courts; Sharia courts include Sharia Court of Appeal, High Sharia Court, and subordinate Sharia tribunals. Sharia court decisions cannot be appealed in civil courts
RELIGIONS
60% Muslims, 19% Buddhists, 9% Christians, 6% Hindus, other
From the country
- DECEMBER 18, 2002MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
76 per cent of respondents to an online survey conducted...
76 per cent of respondents to an online survey conducted by the New Straits Times said they wanted to see the death penalty applied to people convicted of child rape
- DECEMBER 16, 2002MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
Regarding the implementation of the death penalty on...
Regarding the implementation of the death penalty on those convicted of raping minors, a New Straits Times article stated that: "the death penalty may not act as a deterrent
- DECEMBER 11, 2002MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
The proposal to impose the death penalty on child rapists...
The proposal to impose the death penalty on child rapists in Malaysia will now be tabled early in January 2003 to accommodate the views of the various parties concerned
- DECEMBER 10, 2002MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat...
Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the death penalty may not be the best solution to curbing rape and incest, however, heavier punishment was called for given the increase in sex crimes perpetrated against children
- DECEMBER 9, 2002MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
The New Straits Times revealed that a proposal to hang...
The New Straits Times revealed that a proposal to hang child rapists would be tabled in the Cabinet on December 18, despite strong objections from 30 non-governmental organisations
- DECEMBER 8, 2002MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
In an editorial in the Sunday Mail Baidura Ahmad addressed...
In an editorial in the Sunday Mail Baidura Ahmad addressed the rising debate in the country regarding implementation of the death penalty for child rapists
- DECEMBER 1, 2002MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
In an editorial in the News Sunday Times Tan Siok Choo...
In an editorial in the News Sunday Times Tan Siok Choo argued against the proposed implementation of the death penalty for child rapists: "I strongly oppose the proposed death penalty for all rapists - regardless of whether the victim is a child or an adu
- NOVEMBER 27, 2002MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
Thirty Malaysian organisations voiced their concern...
Thirty Malaysian organisations voiced their concern over the proposal for the death penalty for child rapists tabled at the Cabinet meeting
- NOVEMBER 19, 2002MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
National Unity and Social Development deputy secretary-general...
National Unity and Social Development deputy secretary-general Datuk Ahmad Ismail Sarip said that a pilot witness support programme for children will begin in February 2003
- NOVEMBER 16, 2002MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat...
Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil supported the move to introduce the death penalty for child rapist, saying that stiffer penalty was what the public wanted but the Bar Council and women groups maintained their stand a
- NOVEMBER 15, 2002MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
Malaysia is considering the death penalty for child...
Malaysia is considering the death penalty for child rapists after a series of sexual assaults on children, including infants, a cabinet minister was quoted as saying
- NOVEMBER 15, 2002MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
The Cabinet is due to discuss stiffer sentences for...
The Cabinet is due to discuss stiffer sentences for rapists, including the death penalty, in a fortnight and if comments from the country's de facto law minister are any indication, the proposal to hang offenders will be endorsed by Prime Minister Mahath