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
