M’sia says ‘no’ to legalising narcotics

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will not bow to any resolution passed by any world body, including the United Nations, to legalise the use of narcotics, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said any effort to legalise the use of such drugs was seen to be outside the norm as it could give rise to more social problems and crime.

“The Malaysian government will not compromise on this even though there are resolutions made by international bodies to legalise the use of dangerous drugs.

“The government’s stand is that for as long as drug addiction is not eradicated 100 percent, social problems and crime due to drug addiction will continue to occur,” he said at a news conference after opening the 42nd Annual General Meeting of the Drug Prevention Association Malaysia (Pemadam), here, yesterday.

Ahmad Zahid said, in tackling drug abuse, Malaysia preferred a holistic approach by focusing on combating drug smuggling, trafficking and production, and treatment and rehabilitation of addicts including through the inculcation of religious values.

Several countries in Europe and South America have reportedly proposed to the UN to come up with a resolution to allow the possession of drugs for personal use.

Earlier, in his speech, Ahmad Zahid who is also Home Minister, urged the enforcement agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in drug-prevention activities and rehabilitation of addicts to collaborate in identifying more holistic approaches in combating drug production and trafficking, hence helping to eradicate drug abuse.

He said this was because the trend now was producing and trafficking in synthetic drugs which were difficult to detect but would have more detrimental effects on addicts compared to the traditional drugs. - Bernama