The recent changes to the Criminal Law Bill was passed in the latest Parliament sitting. One of the proposed changes is to that of Section 309, which criminalizes attempting suicide in Singapore.
This Law is well known in Singapore. A person down on his luck, depressed and decided to end his life. He was saved, but will them ultmately face criminal charges for attempting suicide. As if his problems that eventually drove him to attempt suicide not enough, now he has to face being a criminal, for his failed attempt.
Although the MInistries of Law and Home Affairs have said that the rate of prosecution for attempting suicide is low, there are still people getting prosecuted for attempting suicides. Th e Government has also admitted the detriments of having such a law. Thus, in order not to further stigmatised and isolate the person from society with a criminal charge, the Law should be repealed and help rendered to those people instead.
