KUALA LUMPUR – The Home Ministry has referred the bill on amendments to the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 to two parliamentary special select committees (PSSCs) after heated debates in the Dewan Rakyat.
Addressing the lower House in his winding-up speech for the bill today, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail proposed for the matter to be referred to the PSSCs on health and security.
The committees chaired by Suhaizan Kaiat (Pulai-PH) and Datuk Jonathan Yasin (Ranau-GRS), respectively, will then have an opportunity to inspect the proposed amendments and get insight.
Saifuddin said while he would like a vote to be held on the bill after his winding-up speech, it was only fair for the Home Ministry to give weightage to the advice and recommendations put forth by lawmakers throughout debates on the bill.
“We at the Home Ministry and the National Anti-Drug Agency welcome views given by MPs. We want to come up with the best possible bill so that good results are obtained once it is enforced.
“The ministry will secure additional views from the PSSCs and invite (the participation of) all stakeholders, including MPs, legal experts and non-governmental organisations. We will detail the bill more and make a decision at the committee level later.”
The minister’s application was granted by Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor (Cameron Highlands-BN).
During his winding-up speech, Saifuddin attempted to address various issues with the bill raised by other MPs, particularly about provisions which would clash with the existing Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The Home Minister said the government intends to maintain sections in the Dangerous Drugs Act criminalising self-administration, possession and trafficking, adding that the Attorney-General’s Chambers assured the new bill would work “in parallel” with existing laws.
Saifuddin explained that the spirit behind the proposed amendments to the Drug Dependents Act was merely to reflect the government’s intention to view drug addicts and substance abusers as patients, as opposed to criminals.
“If this bill is approved, we would see this class of people as patients and not merely addicts.
“We would be able to move them from prisons to rehabilitation centres under the National Anti-Drug Agency.
“Additionally, under the proposed Section 8, we would remove obstacles for those voluntarily seeking help at our rehabilitation centres,” Saifuddin told the Dewan Rakyat today.
The Home Minister added, under the current legal framework, those seeking treatment voluntarily would have to first obtain confirmation from a medical professional, which could take a long time.
Under the new bill, confirmation can be done from an on-site National Anti-Drug Agency rehabilitation officer.
He also reminded the Dewan Rakyat that narcotics remains one of Malaysia’s toughest challenges to overcome with the problem now heavily affecting schools.
According to a study by University Sains Malaysia (USM) cited by Saifuddin, 65% of 152 students were found to have been abusing substances.
“They are consuming vape mixed with magic mushrooms.
“These magic mushrooms have a serious effect towards an individual’s emotional and physical state and it can’t be detected in urine,” Saifuddin added. – July 9, 2024