De facto Law Minister Nancy Shukri hopes the government will be able to table the amendment to Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 in Parliament next March to abolish the mandatory death sentence for drug-related offences.

This would allow judges to use their discretion whether or not to impose the death sentence.

"God willing, I hope the attorney-general (Mohamed Apandi Ali) can do it fast.

"I know we can promise it (amendment) can be done in this session. I hope it can be tabled in the next session, which is in March 2016," Nancy ( photo ) told a press conference at the Parliament today.

"This is a way forward in Malaysia," she added.

Both Nancy and Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz were attending a roundtable discussion on the abolition of mandatory death sentence which is co-hosted by Parliament of Malaysia and Parliament for Global Action (PGA).

"We can get rid of mandatory death sentences so that judges can use their discretion in drug-related offences," said Nazri, who is also the chairman of PGA Malaysia chapter.

In Malaysia, death sentences are imposed for the offences of murder, firearms, treason and drug trafficking.

In a parliamentary written reply dated Nov 3, Nancy said there are 1,022 inmates on death row in prison.

The sentences could not be carried out as the inmates are appealing against their convictions.

Death penalty doesn't help reduce crime

The event today saw lawmakers from Australia, Switzerland and United Kingdom, as well as government representatives and experts, discuss the implication of abolishing the mandatory death penalty in Malaysia and identify strategy and action to move forward with this process.

Meanwhile, the family and lawyers of Malaysian national Kho Jabing met the participants to sensitise them on the impact of mandatory death penalty.

It was reported that less than 24 hours before he was due to face the gallows on Nov 6, Sarawakian Kho was granted a stay of execution by the Court of Appeal, after his lawyer filed a last-minute motion.

"We have been looking at the abolition of death penalty since 2011. But of course in Malaysia, the public opinion in 2011 or at the present moment, difficult for us as Malaysians to really look seriously into abolishing death penalty," said Nazri ( photo ).

Both Nazri and Nancy took an evasive stand when asked repeatedly if the government will abolish mandatory death for other offences besides drug trafficking.

Nancy however admitted that the death sentence does not help reduce crime rates.

"Even with death sentences, cases still go on, people still commit (offences), it doesn't help. The best thing to do is to educate and motivate the people to do something (else)," she said.