Perpetrators or Patients: A Study on The Perception of CFS IIUM Students Towards the Decriminalising of Attempted Suicide in Malaysia
List of Authors
Aisha Hana Ezmel, Alby Rafeeqah Abdul Aziz, Aleesha Natasha Refak’aei, Muhammad Adam Kharezmie Abdul Rezal, Muhammad Nur Huzaimy Mohamad Zunuraini, Siti Farhana Abu Hasan
Keyword
Mental Health Law, Decriminalisation, Suicide Attempts, Perception
Abstract
Attempted suicide is an intentional and deliberate act of ending one’s life in which death fails to occur. Section 309 of the Malaysian Penal Code prescribes attempted suicide as one of the criminal offences in Malaysia. However, the Malaysian Parliament passed three bills in 2023, aiming to decriminalise attempted suicide, which indicates a significant shift in how the largely taboo topic is treated in our country and joining other countries. This research aims to study the background of the decriminalisation of attempted suicide in Malaysia, together with an analysis of legal provisions about the issue. Furthermore, the research targets to study perceptions towards the decriminalisation of attempted suicide and identify the aftermaths of this decision in Malaysia, advocating for a standard shift from viewing attempters as criminals to treating them as patients. By conducting a qualitative study through a survey among Art-based students at the Centre for Foundation Studies, IIUM, the results will be utilised in analysing how university students perceive those who attempted suicide and the potential impact of decriminalisation. In order to support this, the study will examine how other countries have implemented supportive legal frameworks or healthcare services. These approaches not only prioritise the well-being and recovery of individuals but also contribute to reducing the overall suicide rates in society. Thus, our findings underscore the importance of raising awareness about attempted suicide and the effect of legal reforms to effectively address this public health issue.