The government has opened discussions on reforming the nation’s drug policy by emphasizing a more balanced approach that prioritises treatment and rehabilitation for individuals affected by addiction, while maintaining strong efforts in prevention and enforcement. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Marhamah Rosli said the launch of the Working Paper Towards a Drug Policy Based on Rahmah and Maqasid Syariah was not intended to legalise drug use, but rather to gather views from various stakeholders before any policy proposals are finalised. “The launch we are undertaking today is about opening the door to more discussions, bringing forward more ideas and encouraging society not to pass judgment,” she said while officiating the working paper launch.
Prevention and awareness strategy
Marhamah emphasized that efforts to assist individuals trapped in drug abuse must go hand in hand with more aggressive awareness and prevention campaigns, particularly among younger generations. “Awareness must be spread among young people and even children. Nowadays, I am informed that drugs come in very advanced forms, and people may not even realise that a substance is actually a drug.” She stressed that firm action against drug syndicates and traffickers must continue, but individuals who are trying to free themselves from addiction require community support to aid their recovery process. “We must understand that there are individuals struggling in their lives who need support from society in order to recover, rather than punishment.”
Legislative reform and emerging drugs
The Malaysian Substance Abuse Council’s secretary-general Raja Azizan Suhaimi called for amendments to three provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which he said are no longer aligned with current challenges. “This drug law is far too outdated, dating back to 1952. The types of drugs being used today are completely different; therefore, it genuinely needs to be amended or repealed.” The legislation was enacted at a time when the landscape of drug abuse was vastly different, before the emergence of new substances and products such as vapes containing prohibited substances. The programme brought together more than 200 former drug users from across the country through motivational sessions, experience-sharing activities, treatment and rehabilitation programmes. Azizan noted positive developments as relevant authorities have begun showing willingness to consider approaches focusing on treatment and rehabilitation, particularly for individuals who test positive for drugs but are not involved in other criminal offences. Such an approach could reduce reliance on imprisonment and provide greater opportunities for people with addiction to recover.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://mediaselangor.com/en/2026/06/377147