The Attorney-General's Chambers, ministries and government agencies are working on amending the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

In a parliamentary written reply, Law Minister Azalina Othman Said said the AG’s Chambers had sought feedback from the Home Ministry, Health Ministry, Chemistry Department, the police and the Customs Department.

"The Attorney-General's Chambers has completed the first draft of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (Amendment) Bill. The cabinet was informed of this on July 28...

"The bill will be presented to cabinet for consideration and approval before it is tabled in Parliament soon," Law Minister Azalina Othman Said in a parliamentary written reply.

Azalina (photo) said the cabinet had agreed in March that Section 39B of the law be amended to provide courts with the discretion to impose the death penalty.

The law currently in force prescribes the mandatory death penalty for those convicted of drug trafficking.

Azalina was replying to Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo, who sought an update on the matter and on whether a moratorium on the death penalty would be imposed.

Governments in this region, where a combination of strife, poverty and porous borders have led to fertile conditions for drug producers, have been under international pressure to abolish the death penalty.

Often, drug mules are executed in such countries, while drug barons escape the law.