Latest news with #DangerousDrugsAct1952
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
MoH open to reclassifying etomidate under Dangerous Drugs Act
PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry (MoH) is open to reviewing the proposal to list 'etomidate' under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 following reports of its frequent abuse, its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said. He said that based on current clinical practices, the MoH was always ready to carry out evaluations or studies based on evidence presented by any party. Etomidate is currently listed under the Poisons Act 1952. "Any proposal can be considered, but at the end of the day, I look at the evidence base when evaluating something," he told a press conference after officiating the 2025 National Health Technology Assessment Conference and the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Health Technology Assessment Section (MaHTAS) here today. Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii had before this urged the government to list etomidate under both the Poisons Act 1952 and the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, citing reports of its fatal effects in Singapore. He said etomidate was an intravenous anaesthetic that had been misused as a recreational substance through vape products, often marketed as 'Kpods'. Kpods is a street term that usually refers to vape pods laced or contaminated with harmful chemicals or synthetic drugs, rather than just regular vape liquids like nicotine or flavouring. In a related development, Dzulkefly said the government is currently reviewing a proposal to ban e-cigarettes or vapes in the country. "I'm taking note, but I don't want to act hastily. We are taking this very seriously, and it needs to go through a thorough evaluation and consideration of legal and public health impacts," he said. – BERNAMA
Barnama
5 hours ago
- Barnama
Police Retiree Ordered To Enter Defence On Drug Trafficking Charge
SEREMBAN, July 30 (Bernama) -- The High Court today ordered a retired policeman with the rank of Sergeant Major to enter his defence on a charge of trafficking in 573.6 grammes of cannabis three years ago. Judge Datuk Rohani Ismail made the ruling after the prosecution succeeded in establishing a prima facie case against Aminuddin Amir, 66, at the end of the prosecution stage. 'The prosecution has proven the element of drug possession by the accused under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, while the element of trafficking was established based on the definition in Section 39B(2) of the same Act, namely storing and possessing the drugs,' she said during proceedings here today.
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Malaysia says study needed before classifying etomidate as a dangerous drug
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Etomidate is reportedly being misused as a recreational substance in vape products, often marketed as Kpods. PUTRAJAYA - A thorough study will be conducted before any decision is made to list etomidate as a dangerous drug under the law, says Malaysia's Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad. Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the ministry took heed of the recent proposal to list the substance under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 but would not make a hasty decision without proper evidence. At the moment, etomidate is listed as an intravenous sedative and anaesthesia used in clinical practice. 'It is not an issue as it is already listed under the Poisons Act but not under the Dangerous Drugs Act,' he told reporters at a press conference after launching the National Health Technology Assessment Conference 2025 on July 30. Dr Dzulkefly was responding to a proposal made by Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii to list etomidate as a dangerous drug, following reports of deaths caused by the drug in Singapore. Dr Yii said in Parliament on July 28 that etomidate was being misused as a recreational substance in vape products, often marketed as Kpods. He said the misuse of etomidate could result in death due to severe respiratory distress, sudden unconsciousness, injury and adrenal crisis. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore MHA to support HSA's crackdown on Kpod abusers and help in treatment of offenders: Shanmugam Business S'pore's economic resilience will face headwinds in second half of 2025 from tariffs, trade conflicts: MAS Business S'pore's Q2 total employment rises, but infocomm and professional services sectors see more job cuts Singapore Fewer than 1 in 5 people noticed suspicious items during MHA's social experiments Asia Powerful 8.8-magnitude quake in Russia's far east causes tsunami; Japan, Hawaii order evacuations Singapore Migrant workers who gave kickbacks to renew work passes were conservancy workers at AMK Town Council Asia 'Hashing things out': Japan, Vietnam, EU contest terms of US tariff deals behind the scenes Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made Dr Yii said Kpods, which often contain etomidate, are targeted at young people. It was reported that Singapore is working to list etomidate as a Class C drug under its Misuse of Drugs Act. Singapore's Health Minister Ong Ye Kung was recently reported to have said that random tests found that one-third out of 100 vape devices seized were found to contain etomidate. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Retired cop ordered to enter defence in cannabis trafficking case
SEREMBAN: The High Court here today ordered a retired policeman to enter his defence on a charge of trafficking 573.6g of cannabis three years ago. Judge Datuk Rohani Ismail ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Aminuddin Amir, 66, at the close of its case. She said the decision was reached after hearing testimony from prosecution witnesses and considering submissions from both sides, based on a comprehensive assessment of the evidence presented. "I am satisfied that the prosecution has proven the element of possession based on the presumption under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," she said during proceedings. "The element of trafficking has also been established based on the definition under Section 39B(2) of the same act, namely storing and possessing the drugs. "Therefore, under Section 180 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the accused is ordered to enter his defence." According to the charge, Aminuddin is accused of trafficking 573.6g of cannabis at a shed behind a house in Kampung Bukit Kerdas, Batu Kikir, Jempol, on Sept 14, 2022. The charge was framed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and is punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act. Following the ruling, Rohani presented the accused with three options for his defence: give sworn testimony and be cross-examined by the prosecution; give an unsworn statement from the dock, which cannot be cross-examined; or to remain silent. The accused chose to give sworn testimony. His counsel, G. Subramaniam Nair, informed the court that the defence would call four witnesses, including the accused. Deputy public prosecutor Rasyidah Murni Adzmi is leading the prosecution. The defence hearing has been set for Oct 2 and 3.
Barnama
9 hours ago
- Health
- Barnama
MoH Open To Reclassifying Etomidate Under Dangerous Drugs Act
PUTRAJAYA, July 30 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry (MoH) is open to reviewing the proposal to list 'etomidate' under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 following reports of its frequent abuse, its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said. He said that based on current clinical practices, the MoH is always ready to carry out evaluations or studies based on evidence presented by any party. Etomidate is currently listed under the Poisons Act 1952. 'Any proposal can be considered, but at the end of the day, I look at the evidence base when evaluating something,' he told a press conference after officiating the 2025 National Health Technology Assessment Conference and the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Health Technology Assessment Section (MaHTAS) here today. Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii had before this urged the government to list etomidate under both the Poisons Act 1952 and the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, citing reports of its fatal effects in Singapore. He said etomidate is an intravenous anaesthetic that has been misused as a recreational substance through vape products, often marketed as 'Kpods'. Kpods is a street term that usually refers to vape pods laced or contaminated with harmful chemicals or synthetic drugs, rather than just regular vape liquids like nicotine or flavoring. In a related development, Dzulkefly said the government is currently reviewing a proposal to ban e-cigarettes or vapes in the country. 'I'm taking note, but I don't want to act hastily. We are taking this very seriously, and it needs to go through a thorough evaluation and consideration of legal and public health impacts,' he said.
