Latest news with #Poisons
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Daily Express
Five held in LD raid involving drugs, weapons
Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 By: Azmie Lim Text Size: The suspect with some of the seized items. LAHAD DATU: Five men, including three civil servants, were arrested during a police raid at a house in Taman Harapan, Jalan Silam, on Monday. Lahad Datu police seized a small quantity of Syabu, over 220 litres of Ketum drink, cough syrup, and several bladed weapons during the operation. District police chief ACP Dzulbaharin Ismail said the suspects, aged between 24 and 38, were remanded for investigation, with one testing positive for drugs. The confiscated items, including a samurai sword and six machetes, were estimated to be worth RM11,655.40. The case is being investigated under multiple provisions of the Dangerous Drugs, Poisons, and Offensive Weapons Acts, reflecting ongoing enforcement efforts in the area. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
3 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Amended Poisons Act allows more effective action against abuses, ministries say
PETALING JAYA: The broader enforcement powers under the amended Poisons Act 1952 (Act 366) would allow effective action on offences related to the misuse of poisons and psychotropic substances, say the Health and Home Ministries. Under the amendments passed in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (July 28), all police personnel regardless of rank, as well as individuals appointed by the Health Ministry, would be able to handle poisons, including drugs. Under the existing Act, enforcement powers were limited to drug enforcement officers, including pharmacists, police officers with the rank of Inspector and above, as well as senior Customs officers. Act 366 governs the aspects of the use, possession and distribution of poisons and psychotropic substances in Malaysia. ALSO READ: Dewan Rakyat passes Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025 "This amendment... aims to increase the effectiveness of enforcement against offences of misuse of poisons and psychotropic substances, as well as to ensure actions that are faster, comprehensive and responsive can be taken in addressing threats to public health and national security,' the ministries said in a joint statement on Tuesday (July 29). They said patrolling and inspection are usually carried out by police personnel of lower ranks, such as Konstabel and Koperal, who are present in larger numbers in the field. 'The expansion of powers to members of the police force regardless of rank will enhance the efficiency and reach of enforcement operations,' the statement read. In addition, some areas do not have a permanent presence of authorised officers under the Act. To close this gap, the Bill also provides power to the Health Minister to appoint other officers, subject to terms and conditions, to assist in the implementation of enforcement when necessary, the statement noted. The ministries said the amendment shows the continuous commitment of the government, especially the Health Ministry, to address the misuse of controlled substances through a stronger, more inclusive and comprehensive enforcement approach ' It is also in line with the aspirations of Madani values, namely Sustainability and Well-being, to protect... the people and the security of the nation,' they added. The Bill was passed by a voice vote after being debated by 12 MPs from both the government and Opposition blocs. The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) recently voiced strong concern about the amendment and urged the government to halt its progress in Parliament until proper engagement is conducted with stakeholders in the healthcare sector. MMA president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said the association, along with other medical professional bodies, was concerned that the Bill was tabled without prior consultation with key stakeholders. Dr Kalwinder said the language of the Bill was overly broad and raised red flags regarding enforcement powers and the implications for private healthcare services. He pointed specifically to Clause 2, which designates all police officers as authorised officers under the Act, and the proposed Section 31A, which grants the Health Minister power to appoint 'any person' without specifying qualifications.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Dewan Rakyat passes Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025 to curb substance misuse
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat has passed the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025, reinforcing enforcement against the illegal use of poisons and psychotropic substances. The bill, approved via voice vote, was debated by 12 MPs from both government and opposition blocs. 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
The Star
4 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Dewan Rakyat passes Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat has passed the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025, which is aimed at strengthening enforcement against illegal activities involving the misuse of poisons and psychotropic substances. The Bill was passed by a voice vote after being debated by 12 MPs from both the Government and Opposition blocs. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, when winding up the debate, said the amendments also intended to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of enforcement action by relevant agencies. "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." The amendments focus on empowering authorised officers, enhancing training and monitoring, and streamlining the control of poisons and prohibited substances, including those found in vape products. Dzulkefly further explained that the amendments would not cause overlapping of powers between agencies such as the police, drug enforcement officers and customs, as each operated within its respective scope and jurisdiction. "Drug enforcement officers focus on handling poisons and psychotropic substances related to medicines and industrial chemicals. The police monitor abuse of banned substances, while the Customs Department control the entry and exit of these substances at national entry points," he said. Among others, the Bill amends Section 2 of the Poisons Act 1952 to redefine "authorised officer" to include any police officer of any rank and any person appointed by the Health Minister under Section 31A as an authorised officer. It also aims to broaden the definition of "premises" to include any land, building or part of a building, any onshore or offshore installation, or any structure whether floating or fixed, mobile or immobile. Earlier, the Dewan Rakyat also passed the Fees (Pengkalan Kubor Ferry) (Validation) Bill 2025 to validate the collection of ferry service fees at the Pengkalan Kubor Ferry Terminal in Kelantan, collected from Jan 1, 1999, to Dec 31, 2024, which had not been gazetted under the Fees Act 1951. – Bernama
