In conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day 2025, Malaysia has officially enforced the amended law to decriminalise suicide.

Image Credit: Daily Sabah

However, the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department (BHEUU) emphasized that the offence of instigating suicide remains in force, while instigating attempted suicide has been newly introduced under Section 3026 of Act 574 (Penal Code).

“These offences are further differentiated based on the category of the person who is incited or influenced, such as children or individuals lacking mental capacity—under Section 305 of Act 574."

"These provisions aim to protect vulnerable groups who are easily influenced and manipulated by perpetrators,” the statement said, as reported by The Star.

Furthermore, the amended law also introduces Crisis Intervention Officers (CIOs), comprising members of enforcement agencies such as the police and the Fire and Rescue Department.

Under this amendment, CIOs are authorised, among other responsibilities, to bring individuals who have attempted suicide to a psychiatric hospital for examination, in accordance with the provisions of the Mental Health Act 2001.

Image Credit: Citizens Journal

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry is in the final stages of gazetting nearly all of its hospitals, along with two university hospitals, as government psychiatric hospitals.

“This amended law is hoped to be a major step forward in preventing suicide attempts in the country by encouraging those with mental health issues to seek help and by eliminating the stigma surrounding suicide.”

Featured Image Credit: Freepik, Daily Sabah