The police regard the death sentence as the most appropriate penalty for convicted drug traffickers but will propose the maximum punishment if the death sentence is abolished.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Mohmad Salleh said should the death sentence be abolished, the most appropriate penalty for drug traffickers will be life imprisonment and up to 15 strokes of the cane.

He said he personally feels that the death sentence is the most appropriate for these offenders because drug traffickers are gradually killing the many addicts who buy drugs from them.

“Nevertheless, as the police, we abide by the legislation set by Parliament, but we will seek the maximum penalty for drug traffickers,” he said at a press conference.

Mohmad was asked to comment on a proposal to abolish the mandatory death sentence in the country.

Last Sunday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong reportedly said a study to abolish the mandatory death sentence is in its final stage and will be presented to the cabinet. It is being done done following the government’s decision to abolish the mandatory death sentence in keeping with the international standards on human rights.

– Bernama