Govt to review relevant laws in light of increasing online drug sales, says Home Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: In light of increasing cases involving online drug transactions, the government will review the relevant laws soon, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (pic).

Describing the phenomenon as a “new threat”, the Home Minister said there was a pressing need to review drug-related laws.

He said this is especially true since drug dealers these days are using online shopping and social media platforms to sell the dangerous items.

At the same time, the emergence of a so-called “mushroom vape” is also causing concern as the drug is not placed under the Poisons Act 1952 or the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

“Yes, today’s meeting received a presentation on whether or not it (online drug transactions) exists, and the answer is yes, it does exist.

“The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry is given the responsibility to review all Acts related to ecommerce while the Home Ministry will review all other relevant Acts related to drugs.

“In such a scenario, we need to understand that there are sellers, buyers and online transactions, and this is a new threat in terms of drug transactions using this medium (online),” he said during a press conference at Bukit Aman here Tuesday (March 26).

Saifuddin said this after attending the first Cabinet Committee Meeting on Combating Drug Abuse for 2024 on Tuesday at Bukit Aman, which was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

According to Saifuddin, his ministry has begun studies on amending drug-related Acts, adding that the Home Ministry will submit recommendations to improve existing Acts.

“We didn’t have this problem before. Now, not only are the vapes (containing drugs) being sold online, even the liquids are sold on various online platforms too,” he added.

On the mushroom vape issue, Ahmad Zahid said the meeting today had also discussed the matter, saying that the government is looking at effective measures to prevent it from spreading further.

“We need to delve into the content of the drugs because it (mushroom vape) can bring great harm if prevention is not done,” he said.