In conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, we look at the long-standing debate about decriminalising suicide in Malaysia. What are the legal and political hurdles that stand in the way of efforts to review Section 309 of the Penal Code? We ask YB Kasthuri Patto, Batu Kawan MP, and member of the Decriminalisation of Suicide Focus Group, National Coalition for Mental Wellbeing, Dato’ Sri M. Ramachelvam, to weigh in on these questions, and why decriminalisation needs to be a priority for the new Health Minister YB Khairy Jamaluddin.

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