KUALA LUMPUR: The government should review its decision to abolish the death penalty, and instead, make room for discussion on the matter, says Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

He said the decision to totally abolish the death penalty was made hastily and did not take into account the opinions of all parties.

"Looking at the public reaction especially from those who have experienced the loss of loved ones at the hands of criminals, they are angered by the decision to abolish the death row.

"I don't think this was a decision that has taken into account the opinion of all parties.

"It would be good to gather the opinion from the opposition, the government and NGOs to provide counterbalance to the decision," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Tuesday (Oct 16).

On Monday (Oct 15), Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong had said the government hoped to table the Bill to abolish the death penalty during the current Parliament meeting.

Liew also said that the government would abolish the death penalty in total for all crimes.

However, Dr Wee, who is also MCA deputy president, said the government should not abolish it just for the sake of fulfilling its manifesto.

"They said it before that the manifesto is not a bible book that they must follow," he said.

Earlier, Dr Wee also asked in Parliament if the government was ready to form a select committee to gather public opinion on the matter, including from families of victims.

He said the previous Barisan Nasional government would set up a select committee when it came to amending laws under the Penal Code.

"It should not be done hastily, and that's why I suggested for a select committee to be formed," he added.

Dr Wee said for certain offences that called for the mandatory death sentence, such as trafficking in dangerous drugs, the government could consider amending laws to provide for other punishments instead of the mandatory death penalty.

"We should make a clause for other rulings and let the court decide on the punishments. Maybe it does not have to be the mandatory death sentence," he said.

-The Star-