KUCHING: Sarawak Community Policing Association (SCPA) is backing the call to decriminalise suicide, echoing Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah’s sentiment.
On Tuesday, the Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister supported the proposal, saying that people who attempted suicide should be helped instead of being prosecuted.
SCPA chairman Datuk Dr John Lau Pang Heng (pic) said suicide prevention was complex and, while feasible, was no easy task as it involved a series of activities, ranging from control of risk factors and means through the early identification and effective treatment of people with mental and substance use disorders, to the responsible reporting of suicide in the media.
“Comprehensive public health action to prevent suicide addresses the population at large as well as vulnerable groups, such as young people or those who attempted suicide.
“The involvement of various sectors, such as health, education, labour, agriculture, needs to be sought as well as the engagement of various partners like government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs),” he said in a press statement.
Lau said it was SCPA’s view that a person who attempted suicide needed special psychological help and support, and not a stringent law to punish them.
“Those who attempt suicide are those who feel that their lives are meaningless. Many are those who face business and career failures, financial difficulties, study problems and lack of family love and guidance.”
The NGO also felt that a national suicide prevention strategy needed to be formulated, and tailored to suit each culture and social context.
When conceptualising and implementing such a strategy, it was necessary to specify clear objectives, targets, indicators, timelines, milestones, designated responsibilities and budget allocations, said Lau.
“The government needs a strategic and systematic approach. Without an action plan, it is likely that progress will fall short.
“Thus, SCPA supports efforts to provide psychological help to those who attempted suicide, and this is to give them a second chance to move forward in their life,” he added.
