PM: Gov’t reviewing policies, laws on illegal drug use

Dr Mahathir Mohamad has reaffirmed the government’s intention to review the country’s policies and laws on illegal drug use including the mandatory death penalty for trafficking.

The prime minister said this is so Malaysia can take a more rational approach, following the latest trends, in its efforts to address the country’s drug abuse problem.

“I believe the time has come for us to evaluate and revise the related laws on the trafficking and misuse of drugs in accordance with the changing drug trends of the times,” he said in his speech at the launch of the National Anti-Drug Month in Putrajaya, today.

Elaborating, the premier said current laws on drugs are seen as too harsh.

“We are studying the laws as the current laws are too harsh. If a person is found in possession of a certain amount of drugs, the punishment that can be meted out is death.

“There are many who feel this (punishment) is not effective as there are many others who still seek non-halal income through dealing drugs.

“We (the federal government) will study if this claim is right or not, and (if) we find there are other ways in law that can be used to curb drug abuse or drug trafficking, we will amend the law,” he said at a press conference later following the launch.

Mahathir added that those who are addicted to drugs are not seen as criminals.

“Even so, it is important that we understand that drug abuse is not good, will bring harm not only to ourselves but to our families, communities and the country,” he said.

Mahathir added that enforcement and rehabilitation efforts need to take into account changing trends in drug abuse to combat it more effectively.

Those who offer treatment and rehabilitation services must also understand the approach recommended by the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to effective treatment and rehabilitation of drug abuse.

“Drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation providers, board members, district drug rehabilitation committees, and those who operate private drug rehabilitation centres need to integrate their approach to treatment and rehabilitation to be more comprehensive by taking into account the principles behind effective drug rehabilitation,” he said.

Mahathir noted the trend in drug abuse has shifted from conventional plant-based substances such as opium and morphine to synthetic drugs that are more harmful.

Thus, the government is alarmed by the increasing demand for synthetic drugs such as methamphetamines and the introduction of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in Asian markets.

“There are now hundreds of NPS worldwide. In 2009, only 130 types of NPS were reported. From 2009 to 2019, about 892 types of NPS have been reported in 119 countries," he said.

“Drugs have become a lucrative source of easy money and a constant draw for criminals. The total value seized last year was RM3.53 billion, compared to more than RM500 million in 2018.

“The value seized shows that drug distributors are willing to do anything to profit from other people’s misery,” he said.

The Pakatan Harapan government had announced last year that it was planning to work towards decriminalising drug use, especially if it is for personal use.

However, Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad acknowledged last month that this is proving to be an uphill task as the plan has been misunderstood as an attempt to legalise drug abuse.

Meanwhile, Harapan had promised to do away with the mandatory death penalty as per its GE14 election manifesto.

It was reported last week that the government-appointed special committee to review alternative sentences to the mandatory death penalty has submitted its report to the government.

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