KUALA LUMPUR: Of the 829 prisoners convicted and sentenced to death between 2010 and 2016, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that 95 were pardoned or given reprieves, while 12 were executed.

“Statistics from the Prisons Department show that between 2010 and February 22, 2016, the courts sentenced 829 prisoners to death for various crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, firearms trafficking and kidnapping,” said Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Home Minister.

This was said in a written response to Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong).

“The 95 received pardons or a reprieve after submitting appeals to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, rulers or state governors,” Zahid added.

Since 2010, the government has said that it is willing to review the mandatory death penalty, with a view to its possible abolition.

The Malaysian Bar has urged for a moratorium on executions pending this review.