MOVE TO REVIEW DRUG LAWS

Govt wants to plug loopholes, curb online drug sales, says DPM Zahid

THE government is set to review existing laws on drugs in the country. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who chaired the inaugural Cabinet Committee Meeting on Combating Drug Abuse yesterday, said the existing laws would need to be reviewed to plug any possible loopholes.

“We wish to examine the laws which previously had been tightened, yet we observe lingering loopholes that require further reinforcement for effective enforcement.

“I wish to extend my gratitude to the police, particularly the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department, National AntiDrug Agency, Customs Department and Health Ministry for their coordination in these endeavours.

“We anticipate that this cabinet committee will receive fresh insights by mid-Syawal for implementation, ensuring the efficacy of our decisions,” he said after the meeting.

Zahid said the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry had been invited to the meeting for a special discussion on the status of the e-Commerce Platform Supervision Bill.

“The bill will further strengthen control and enforcement powers to curb online drug sales, especially through e-commerce platforms.”

In a related matter, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the sale of drugs via online platforms were a new threat that had to be addressed.

“We received a presentation on whether drugs are being sold on social media and the answer is yes.

“The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has been given the responsibility to examine all relevant acts pertaining to ecommerce.”

The ministry had kicked off the study and they would subsequently propose the necessary amendments to the committee, Saifuddin added.

“We need to be a step ahead.

“Now we have vape liquid laced with drugs and they are using social media (to sell it).”

Also at the meeting were Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

Zahid also said the government was looking at enhancing the Health Ministry’s pathology laboratories’ capacity to ensure efficiency in processing drug-related cases for court proceedings.

He said the committee had agreed in principle with the Health Ministry’s proposal to enhance their pathology laboratories at a cost of RM230 million.

The budget, however, will depend on allocation by the Finance Ministry and the implementation phase will be for 10 years.