JOHOR BARU – A new law to be introduced this year to decriminalise minor drug offences will also solve the problem of overcrowded detention centres, the Home Ministry said.
Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat the law will be named the “Misuse of Drugs and Substances (Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation) Act.”
“Under the Dangerous Drugs Act, Section 15(1), if a person is detained with drugs found on his body, the detainee is subject to a RM5,000 fine or a prison term of less than two years.
“The government’s plan now is to change the law so that if a person is found with drugs on his body, he would be sent for rehabilitation programmes,” Saifuddin said.
The minister was answering a question from Wong Chen (Subang-PH) on the government’s commitment to decriminalising minor drug offences to reduce Malaysia’s inmate population.
Two types of drug rehabilitation programmes involve either the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), the community or both, the minister added.
“Rehabilitation under the AADK will take two years, then the user comes out and undergoes another programme for two years in the community.
“If the drug user is sent straight to rehabilitation programmes in the community, it will be for three years.”
Currently, the country’s 39 prisons have capacity for 65,000 inmates.
However, overcrowding is a problem as there are 74,459 inmates presently. – The Vibes, March 8, 2023
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