Guillotine option should be “guillotined” immediately

Media statement by DAP National Political Education Director and MP for Kluang Liew Chin Tong on 16th November 2014

The so-called “guillotine option” by Kelantan Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Mohd Amar Abdullah should be “guillotined” immediately. The obsession with such inhumane methods of punishment on the part of Nik Amar is dissapointing.

Kelantan Deputy Mentri Besar Nik Amar had told the press that he was mulling to recommend to a Kelantan government hudud technical committee to use the guillotine to amputate limbs of those convincted of stealing.

The idea came after the Malaysian Medical Association said surgeons would not be part of the process as it is considered a vilolation of the Hippocratic Oath of the medical profession.

Like many other proponents of human rights, I have been campaigning for the end or reduced usage of cruel punishments such as the death penalty and judicial caning. Malaysia does not need another such form of punishment. The reasons for opposing such cruel and irreversible methods in principle have been explained time and again.

Liew Chin Tong