KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to decriminalise attempted suicide will be tabled and discussed in Cabinet soon.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said as of now, attempted suicide was considered a criminal offence under the Penal Code.
"However, recently there is an agreement among all ministers that we should not discriminate those who attempted suicide.
"The amendment to the Act is still at the 'understanding' (comprehension) phase. I am made to understand that it will be brought to Cabinet to not discriminate those who attempt suicide.
"In fact, we notice an increase of suicide cases this year by two per cent compared the year before," he said in his reply to supplementary question from Teo Nie Ching (PH - Kulai).
Teo had wanted to know the Health Ministry's position on the provision of mental health treatment for those who attempted suicide, instead of being punished under Section 309 of the Penal Code.
Aaron also told the house that there was a significant increase in cumulative calls made to the Psychosocial Support Assistance Hotline during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"More than 80 per cent of the callers have sought counselling and emotional support.
"A total 956 cases involving people suspected experiencing mental breakdown detected between March and September this year were referred for further medical intervention," he said, adding that the hotline was set-up by the ministry in collaboration with Mercy Malaysia on March 25.