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Malaysia Plans Longer Detentions for Hardcore Drug Addicts
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 (IslamOnline) - The Malaysian government is planning to increase the detention period for hardcore drug addicts to a 13-year period, following in the footsteps of the neighboring island nation of Singapore, news reports said Wednesday.
The aim is to keep addicts away from drugs, kill the market and lower the crime rate, especially in petty crimes like theft, the source added.
Home Ministry secretary-general Aseh Che Mat, formerly Immigration chief, said hardcore addicts were those who had undergone rehabilitation many times but failed to kick the habit.
He, however, did not disclose the exact definition of a hardcore addict, or the proposed maximum period of detention, as these had yet to be discussed by the Cabinet.
The Cabinet decided to handle the drug addiction situation in Malaysia as the situation was becoming untenable, authorities said.
A Cabinet paper had been prepared and was circulated to agencies like the Attorney General's Chambers, Treasury and Public Service Department for comment.
If the Cabinet agrees to the proposal, existing laws would have to be amended.
Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had discussed the matter with Singapore Home Minister Wong Kan Seng at a meeting on Monday.
At present, addicts are held for only two years at the Serenti Rehabilitation Center.
If the new proposal were accepted, hardcore addicts would be held for a longer period, and might be housed in jails, or Serenti centers with tighter security.
Hardcore addicts, especially those with criminal records, would also have to be separated from new addicts who could potentially be rehabilitated.
Aseh said 27 Serenti centers nationwide were now full with a total of 13,000 addicts, costing the government RM60 million ($1 = RM3.80) a year in upkeep.
He estimated that 40,000 to 50,000 addicts had undergone rehabilitation more than once.
Singapore initiated the long detention period for hardcore addicts after it found out that they had difficulties staying away from drugs and causing harm to society.
There are lesser hardcore addicts in Singapore, compared to the number in Malaysia, where drug use seems to be making rapid inroads among the population.
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