12-08-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Committee proposes quick reforms to criminal laws, including ending mandatory whipping
KUALA LUMPUR: The Criminal Law Reform Committee (CLRC) has proposed several immediate reforms, or "quick wins," while carrying out a full review of the Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and Evidence Act 1950.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said these include abolishing mandatory whipping by giving judges discretion in sentencing, improving remand procedures and expanding the use of community service orders for minor offences as an alternative to imprisonment.
These quick win reforms also include strengthening the e-plea of guilty system, improving pre-trial document disclosure procedures, and introducing fixed timelines for bail decision-making to ensure fairness.
"The CLRC also has a special mandate to review proposed amendments to Section 97 of the Child Act 2001 following the abolition of mandatory death and life imprisonment sentences under Act 846.
"It will also look into consequential amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code, the moratorium on the death penalty, the introduction of Deferred Prosecution Agreements, and matters involving cybercrime and national security offences," she told the Dewan Rakyat Special Chambers today.
She said the CLRC is chaired by Tan Sri Datuk Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal, former Federal Court judge, with Datuk Ravinthran N. Paramaguru, Court of Appeal judge, serving as Deputy Chair.
The committee also includes judges, legal practitioners, academics specialising in criminal law, and representatives from the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).
To strengthen the review process, an ad hoc CLRC panel was also formed to provide ongoing technical and strategic input, supported by four subcommittees led by senior figures from the judiciary and legal profession.
She said the CLRC had also engaged stakeholders, including the police, the Prison Department, the Social Welfare Department, the Registrar of the Federal Court's Office, the Home Ministry, and Suhakam, as well as holding town hall sessions in Sabah and Sarawak to gather feedback on specific issues and proposed quick-win reforms.
She also said collaboration with Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia was undertaken to ensure that the review and recommendations are based on sound academic research and strong empirical evidence.
Azalina said the reforms were in line with the government's Madani aspiration to ensure the criminal justice system meets the needs of modern society, improves the protection of human rights, speeds up judicial processes with more efficient and transparent procedures, and aligns with international standards.
"The government is optimistic that this reform initiative will result in a more progressive, fair and efficient criminal justice system that is grounded in human rights and societal needs," she said.
