Dewan Rakyat passes Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025 to curb substance misuse
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that the amendments aim to enhance enforcement efficiency and align Malaysian laws with international conventions.
'This amendment is important to align the country's laws with international conventions such as the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 and the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances 1988.'
Key changes include empowering authorised officers, improving training and monitoring, and tightening controls on poisons and prohibited substances, including those in vape products. Dzulkefly clarified that the amendments prevent overlapping jurisdiction among agencies. 'Drug enforcement officers focus on handling poisons and psychotropic substances related to medicines and industrial chemicals. The police monitor abuse of banned substances, while customs control the entry and exit of these substances at national entry points.'
The bill redefines 'authorised officer' to include police officers of any rank and individuals appointed by the Health Minister. It also expands the definition of 'premises' to cover land, buildings, offshore installations, and other structures.
Earlier, the Dewan Rakyat passed the Fees (Pengkalan Kubor Ferry) (Validation) Bill 2025 to legitimise un-gazetted ferry service fees collected from 1999 to 2024. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
29 minutes ago
- The Star
Diesel smuggling cases decline significantly in Malaysia, Dewan Rakyat hears
PETALING JAYA: Diesel smuggling activities have significantly declined, with only 261 cases recorded as of July 8 this year, according to the Dewan Rakyat. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Ali reported that these 261 cases involved seizures amounting to RM5.24mil. In contrast, last year recorded 655 cases with RM17.14mil in seizures, and 2023 saw 992 cases with seizures totalling RM18.04mil. "The targeted subsidy mechanism implemented by the government has effectively addressed diesel smuggling, as evidenced by the reduction in cases," Armizan stated in a parliamentary written reply dated July 31. Armizan was responding to Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Terengganu), who inquired about diesel smuggling cases in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and whether the diesel subsidy mechanism had successfully addressed the issue. Armizan highlighted that his ministry, alongside other border enforcement agencies such as the police, the Customs Department, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and the Road Transport Department (JPJ), is conducting joint enforcement efforts to tackle smuggled diesel. Previously, it was reported that the sale of smuggled subsidised petrol and diesel from Malaysia is rampant along southern Thailand due to significant price disparities between the two countries. Armizan noted that the targeted diesel subsidy implementation in Peninsular Malaysia, which began in June last year, has shown a reduction in diesel smuggling cases. Under this scheme, diesel prices were floated and retailed in the peninsula starting last year. Subsidies continue for traders using diesel-powered commercial vehicles and public transportation. Eligible groups such as farmers, smallholders, and private diesel vehicle owners can apply for a RM200 monthly cash subsidy under the Budi Madani initiative.
The Star
29 minutes ago
- The Star
Fewer than 1,500 property purchases by foreigners in 2024, says minister
PETALING JAYA: There were 1,459 property purchases by foreigners last year, says Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. He said this accounts for 0.56% or RM3.054bil of the total 259,058 property transactions worth RM103.9bil by Malaysian citizens last year. "The Ministry's priority is to ensure every citizen has a place to live, whether owned or rented, under the concept of housing as a place to live (shelter for all), in line with the aspirations and goals of the National Housing Policy (2018-2025)," he said. Nga stated this in a parliamentary written reply dated July 31 in response to Ismail Muttalib (Perikatan-Maran), who asked about the statistics on foreigners owning houses in Malaysia. Ismail also inquired about the number of Malaysians owning more than two homes. According to Nga, the Basic Amenities Survey report 2022 by the Statistics Department noted 76.5% of Malaysians owned a home but did not specify if they owned more than two. Meanwhile, Nga said the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme under the Syarikat Jaminan Kredit Perumahan Bhd (SJKP) has approved guaranteed loans totalling RM20.9bil based on 88,507 applications. Nga also said the government is considering expanding the rent-to-buy scheme for the people's housing programme (PPR), considering changing trends where buyers are concerned about economic stability.
New Straits Times
29 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Fadillah: Legal system must reflect Malaysia's identity
KUCHING: Malaysia must be bold in developing a legal system that reflects local realities, values and challenges, rather than relying too heavily on foreign precedents or approaches, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. He said blindly adopting foreign legal models, particularly from England, may not be suitable for Malaysia given its vastly different social, economic and cultural contexts. He said the country's legal system must be shaped through its own framework, in line with the aspiration of building a Malaysian legal identity that is credible and respected on the international stage. "We also have our own economic dynamics, social structures and unique challenges that require local solutions. "Let Malaysia's legal field develop confidently, rooted in our own identity, so that one day it may become a respected reference within the Commonwealth," he said in his speech at the launch of Bencher Malaysia, organised by Inns of Court Malaysia (ICM) last night. He cited the authoritative views of the late Sultan Azlan Shah, who, during his tenure as Chief Justice of Malaya, emphasised the need for Malaysia to have its own approach in addressing the country's legal challenges. "His Royal Highness' meaningful and timely statement serves as a reminder of the importance of building a legal system grounded in our national reality, and the wisdom of the late Sultan Azlan Shah remains relevant in Malaysia's current context," he said. Fadillah said in a landmark judgment in the case of Home Luck Investments Sdn Bhd v Commissioner of Federal Capital of Kuala Lumpur (1969) CLJU 56, Sultan Azlan Shah said that although Malaysian law is largely influenced by the English legal system, such an approach should not be accepted blindly. Sultan Azlan Shah had remarked: "It is beyond dispute that the core of our legal system is, generally speaking, rooted in the English legal system. "However, we must not forget that we have our own laws, our own economic and social life, and our own problems that need to be addressed according to local needs. "For my part, I have no hesitation in rejecting the English approach in assessing and interpreting this country's valuation laws." The event also saw the appointment of former Senate President and current Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, as the first Malaysian Bencher, making him the inaugural recipient of ICM's highest recognition. In the English legal system, Benchers are senior members of the Inns of Court. The position honours their legal distinction and contributions to the profession. Fadillah said ICM has emerged as a key platform for strengthening professional development among Malaysia's legal community, especially in producing local lawyers who excel not only in substantive and procedural law but also in character, communication skills and confidence. He said initiatives such as the eloquent discernment programme, formal ethics training and exposure to international legal environments can help prepare the next generation to compete professionally on the global stage. "ICM not only strengthens the legal profession but also nurtures a sense of legal nationalism rooted in Malaysian values," he said. The event was attended by prominent legal figures, diplomats, university representatives and law students from across the country.
