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M'sia making efforts to treat drug crimes in different context, Khairy says
Malaysia has been making efforts to handle crimes, particularly those related to drugs, in a different context, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
“We are looking at the law in totality. For example, our effort to abolish the mandatory death penalty is part of the government’s efforts to look at certain crimes, including drug crimes, in a different context.
Malaysia has been making efforts to handle crimes, particularly those related to drugs, in a different context, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
“We are looking at the law in totality. For example, our effort to abolish the mandatory death penalty is part of the government’s efforts to look at certain crimes, including drug crimes, in a different context.
“Even the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) is focusing more on treatment rather than punishment,” Khairy said to reporters after attending an event to hand over allocation to mental health NGOs at the Health Ministry in Putrajaya today.
He pointed out that the use of cannabis for medical purposes is already being discussed in Malaysia and hence, the country’s approach towards punitive actions must change based on the latest research.
In late August, Khairy visited the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) in Bangkok where he was briefed on the medical cannabis policy in Thailand.
On June 9, Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to legalise the cultivation and possession of medical cannabis.
After his visit, Khairy said Malaysia is keen to learn more about cannabis from Thailand, especially about its evidence-based applications and cannabis-related pharmaceutical products for medical uses.
On a separate matter, Khairy said his ministry regularly tries to improve its services, especially for mental health.
Last year, the ministry’s budget for mental health services saw an increase of about 11 percent, he said.
“We are asking for another 2.5 percent increase for next year’s budget. So all of this includes the salary paid to our specialists and all the mental health workers,” he said.
Khairy has been pushing for a more holistic and whole-of-society approach to health and wellness, including improving mental health services, since he became the health minister.
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