Bloc reaffirms drug stance
ZERO TOLERANCE: Asean rejects liberal approach to illicit drugs, says DPM
ASEAN leaders have taken a strong stand against the idea of the bloc being “more liberal” on illicit drugs.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday said the suggestion could not be accepted as Asean had adopted a zerotolerance approach towards drugs.
“There have been suggestions for Asean to follow the best practices of some countries where the use of certain illicit drugs was allowed.
“Empirical studies show that in the countries that have legalised the use of certain illicit drugs, there has been an overall increase in illicit drug use,” he said at the 5th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters (AMMD) here.
Zahid, who is also home minister, said such a policy could not be used in the region and Asean was united in rejecting the suggestion.
In April, Malaysia delivered the unified Asean statement, as entrusted by the 4th AMMD, at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem in New York, underscoring Asean’s firm stand against illicit drugs, consistent with three international drug control conventions.
Earlier in the meeting, Zahid said, with concerted efforts and commitment from each Asean member state, the Asean Work Plan on Securing Communities against Illicit Drugs 2016-2025 could help control the drug situation.
He said the Malaysian government had rejected ideas by several quarters to legalise the use of cannabis and cultivate ketum for export purposes.
“Malaysia reaffirms our stand that there is no one-size-fits-all measure in addressing the drug problem.
“In meeting our obligations under the drug control treaties, we believe that it is the sovereign right of every government and its citizens to decide what is best for them, taking into account the unique circumstances and norms of its society and in line with its national policy.”
Zahid said Singapore and other Asean member countries also wanted to emulate Malaysia’s success in its preventive and rehabilitation approaches towards drug issues and that the country was ready to share its experiences.
At the same time, he said, Malaysia could learn from Singapore in determining punishments as a preventive measure to curb drugrelated crimes.
“Singapore has very strict laws against drug abuse that involve correctional and preventive aspects, and this has resulted in a decrease in drug-related crime rates.
“Their approaches could be used in Malaysia. In our country, 48 per cent of prisoners are involved in drug-related crimes.”
Asked if there were any plans for Malaysia to step up its fight against drugs, Zahid said the country was using its digital counter-messaging centre in Bukit Aman to monitor communications by drug dealers and chemists who produce synthetic drugs. Natural Resources and Environment Minister
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