Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar believes that Malaysia is not ready for marijuana to be decriminalised, and warns that it can lead to abuse.

"In our country it will be a platform for abuse of other serious drugs.

"Using ganja will be the base for abuse of other hard drugs. It will be a mistake if we decriminalise it as it will affect the next generation of this country," he told Malaysiakini .

Yesterday, a Youth Parliament representative proposed the decriminalisation of marijuana (ganja), stating that there are youths who do not consider it a drug.

"Ganja is not a drug […] I am merely expressing the opinion of youths that I meet at the grassroots," said Selangor representative Muhamad Ridhwan Muhamad Rosli.

He also noted that marijuana is legal in the United States and Australia, which are parties to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

"If such, we should follow suit and be on par with them so as not to be against the TPPA," he added when debating a motion to improve the country’s drug laws.

Meanwhile, Khalid also noted that religious sensitivities must be taken into account with regard to such a proposal.

"Intoxication is prohibited in Islam and other religions as well. So any attempt to decriminalise marijuana will face religious hindrances as well.

"Personally, I believe such a move will be a mistake, and has the potential to harm our youth if abused," he added.

On the contrary, Khalid stressed that the focus should be on deterring youths from falling victim to drug abuse.

Muhamad Ridhwan's proposal also caught the attention of Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who retweeted it.

Malaysia has strict drug laws where traffickers can face a mandatory death sentence.