‘REPLACE HANGING WITH EQUAL PENALTY’
Abolishing death penalty a big step, says Nada
THE National Anti-Drugs Agency (Nada) wants a proportionate form of punishment that can replace the death penalty if it is to be abolished for drug offences.
Its director-general, Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah, said the onus was on the government to study penalties that could commensurate with the death penalty.
He said abolishing the death penalty, especially for serious drug-related offences, would be a big step, as it has been implemented for a long time.
“Not all crimes related to drug abuse will be given the death sentence. However, if the death penalty is abolished, there must be a proportionate punishment meted out against those involved in the drug trade,” he said at the Bukit Chabang Cure and Care Rehabilitation Centre project site here yesterday.
He was responding to a statement made by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who confirmed that the government was looking into whether it would maintain or abolish the death penalty.
Dr Wan Azizah explained that the reason for the abolishment of the death penalty was to ensure that no innocent victims would be sent to the gallows.
Zulkifli said Nada believed the government was studying the issue in its entirety and that it would find a sentence that would commensurate with existing penalties for drug-related offences.
“We hope that whatever decision made by the government, it will help Nada in curbing crimes related to drug abuse.”
On reports that Perlis has the fourth highest number of drugrelated offences, Zulkifli said one of the main factors was the state’s proximity to the Thai border.
“Areas near fishing villages in Kuala Perlis are among four ‘red zone’ areas for these offences, in addition to Kangar, Arau and Simpang Empat.
“Drug dealers in these areas target the population, who are mostly those who work in the farming and fishing sectors.”