Human rights group Suaram has slammed Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar for mocking its call to abolish the Dangerous Drugs Act 1985 (DDA 1985), saying that the police chief failed to respond to issues it raised.

"Suaram deems Khalid’s statement to be empty, un-intellectual, and shows the inspector-general of police’s arrogance. His statement shows that he is indifferent towards basic human rights.

"Suaram stresses that its support for any effort to combat drug crimes for public security, but the efforts must be in line with basic human right principles," Suaram coordinator Syukri Razab said in a statement today.

Syukri (left) also said that it is only opposing the 1985 version of the DDA and not Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (DDA 1952), which does not have provison for detention without trial.

"Suaram questions Khalid’s honesty when he portrays as though the DDA 1985 can fight dangerous drugs in this country, whereas we have other laws like the DDA 1952 that can deal with dangerous drugs.

"What is more important is that DDA 1952 has no provision for detention without trial and allows the accused to defend themselves in court," he said.

60 days detention without trial

Last Friday, Suaram issued a press statement urging the parliament not to renew the DDA 1985 and allow the law’s sunset clause -  a clause set to allow the expiry of the law - to take effect in June 2015.

Among reasons for Suaram’s opposition to the law is provison for detention without trial of up to 60 days.

The statement was also endorsed by 11 other groups including the Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section, Lawyers for Liberty, and Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia.

In response, Khalid tweeted on the same day that this would hamper the police’s efforts to combat drugs.

"Suaram said the DDA must be abolished. Wow! The drug dealers must be delighted. (Police’s) effort to combat drugs will be hampered!" he said.

In saying so, Syukri said, Khalid failed to counter the argument that the DDA 1985 failed to prove itself to be an effective law.

It said that the increasing number of arrest under the DDA 1985 shows that it is ineffective in curbing the offence.