What penalties does Section 309 currently impose on suicide survivors?

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Section 309 of the Penal Code imposes a fine or imprisonment on attempted suicide survivors.

Section 309 of the Penal Code currently stipulates penalties for individuals who attempt suicide. Conviction under this section can result in either a fine or a prison sentence of up to one year. This legal provision has been the subject of ongoing review, with discussions around its amendment and potential decriminalisation of attempted suicide. The proposal to change this law is currently under consideration by the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC).
Current Legal Framework for Attempted Suicide

Under the existing Section 309 of the Penal Code, individuals found guilty of attempting suicide face legal repercussions. The law prescribes a punishment that includes the possibility of a fine or a jail term not exceeding twelve months. This section has historically placed survivors of suicide attempts in a position of legal jeopardy.
Government Review of Decriminalisation

The Malaysian government is actively reviewing the proposal to decriminalise attempted suicide. The Cabinet has requested the Attorney General’s Chambers to provide its final opinion on the matter. Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has indicated that the Cabinet will make a decision regarding the decriminalisation of attempted suicide only after receiving the AGC's finalised assessment.
Previous Agreements in Principle

Discussions regarding the amendment of Section 309 have been ongoing. In October of the previous year, it was communicated that the Home Minister and the Attorney General had agreed in principle to the abolition of this section. This indicates a prior consensus on the need to address the legal status of attempted suicide.
Advocacy for Decriminalisation

There has been public advocacy from senior health officials for the decriminalisation of suicide attempts. Both Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah have publicly supported the move to decriminalise such acts. Their stance reflects a broader discussion on how to approach individuals who have attempted suicide from a public health perspective rather than solely a punitive one.

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What penalties does Section 309 currently impose on suicide survivors?

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