Malaysia Roundup: City redevelopment, death penalty, APEC

City redevelopment

Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040 (KLSP2040) has identified 139 locations in the city for potential redevelopment over the next 20 years. The potential redevelopment could result in a lot of money in gross development value, the plan emphasises detailed design plans for buildings, aiming to achieve a more integrated, inclusive, and low-carbon built environment, local media the New Straits Times reported.

Death penalty

The Malaysian Federal Court has set aside the hanging and life imprisonment sentences against 11 prisoners, including two Thai men, for drug trafficking. According to local media Utusan Malaysia, a three-judge panel replaced the death sentence with a life sentence of 30 years. The court also commuted the sentences of four sentenced to life imprisonment to 30 years in prison. The death penalty was abolished for 12 offences, including drug trafficking, murder, treason, and terrorism, Utusan Malaysia reported.

Asian Pacific Economic Conference

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has arrived in San Francisco for the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) from November 14 to 17. Anwar who also doubles as the country’s Minister of Finance will share Malaysia's priorities under the Madani Economy framework, a project launched by the Prime Minister to restructure the country’s economic growth, sustainable development, and cooperation for shared prosperity, the New Straits Times reports.

School bullying

Over 90% of bullying and sexual harassment cases in Malaysian educational institutions have been resolved within 15 days, and advocacy for access to report such cases has improved, Malaysia’s Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said while addressing the lower house of the bicameral Parliament of Malaysia. "This is the assurance we can give, each complaint must be investigated based on the urgency of relaying information, reporting and taking action based on standard operating procedures. For cases that occurred in schools, both victims and perpetrators will be referred to the guidance and counselling teachers. We have such teachers within the ministry to handle such issues," she is quoted by local media the Star.

Death row

Seven prisoners on death row in Malaysia have undergone a review under the Revision of Sentence of Death and Imprisonment for Natural Life (Temporary Jurisdiction of the Federal Court) Act 2023 (Act 847), the Star reported. The review was agreed by the Cabinet following an engagement session with various parties. The death penalty for criminal offences is no longer mandatory, and amendments to the law allow judges to impose appropriate punishments. According to the Star as of November 9, the Chief Registrar’s Office of the Federal Court in Malaysia has received 978 review applications, with 861 for death penalty review and 117 for life imprisonment.