The Malaysian Cabinet gave the green light for the...

The Malaysian Cabinet gave the green light for the amendment of Section 376 of the Penal Code in order to allow the imposition of mandatory death sentences for rapists who cause the death of their victims. The proposal was met with mixed reactions. The Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) said it was the duty of the Government to protect women and children from rape by bringing the perpetrators to justice and enhancing punishment. However, imposing mandatory death for rapists who murdered their victims needed more clarification, said WAO Executive Director Ivy Josiah. She said Section 302 already stated that murder was punishable by death. "Therefore, whether you are a rapist, burglar or a reckless driver and if you kill someone, you may face the death sentence. In principle there appears to be no change," Josiah said. Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, in announcing the Cabinet decision, said that in order to carry out the proposals, Section 376 of the Penal Code was expected to be amended at the next sitting of the Dewan Rakyat. The All Women's Action Society urged the Government to revoke the decision and said focus should be given to create gender sensitive awareness, particularly among the younger generation. Its programme manager, Manohary Subramaniam, said that the rights of life, liberty and security of a person should be upheld. Furthermore, it was yet to be proven that death penalty per se as in the case of drug trafficking was a deterrent to rape, she added.