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Malaysia government agrees to axe mandatory death penalty

14 Sept 03:01 Key points summarised by AI

Malaysia's Cabinet has agreed to abolish the mandatory death penalty for various offenses, including murder and drug trafficking.
This decision means judges will gain discretion in sentencing, moving away from compulsory capital punishment.
The government plans further study on substitute sentences and will require new legislation to enact these changes, a process expected to take time.
While campaigners welcome the announcement as a significant step, they express caution, urging the government to pass the necessary laws, citing a history of unfulfilled human rights promises.

Today 14:58 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's government will launch the "Chainat-Pasak-Gulf" water diversion canal project in fiscal year 2027, a seven-year mega-infrastructure initiative.
This permanent structural solution aims to mitigate recurrent central plains flooding by diverting water from the Chao Phraya River directly into the Gulf of Thailand, significantly reducing flow to major cities like Ayutthaya and Bangkok.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul justifies the long-term investment as a means to reduce future damages and fiscal burdens, contrasting it with the 40-50 billion baht spent annually on short-term flood relief.
Concurrently, the Prime Minister instructed officials to expand drainage capacity into the Tha Chin River and swiftly remove water hyacinths to improve immediate flood management.