Malaysia abolishes mandatory death penalty for serious crimes.

The lower house of Malaysia's Parliament has approved legal reforms to abolish the mandatory death penalty for some offences. The amendments would apply to 34 offences currently punishable by death, including murder and drug trafficking. The upper house is expected to pass the legislation, which would then be sent to the king to be signed into law. Malaysia has had a moratorium on executions since 2018, but courts have continued to send inmates to death row. Alternatives to the death penalty would include whipping and imprisonment for 30 to 40 years under certain conditions.