By: Fauzi Suhaimi, Nabil Aziz dan Ahmad Hakim Suhaimi

KUALA LUMPUR, June 11, 2024 – Amendments to the Drug Defendants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 (APD 1983) Bill will be brought to the Cabinet Meeting shortly before being tabled for the first reading in the upcoming Second Meeting of the Third Term of the Fifteenth Parliament 2024.

It had been decided in the Special Committee Meeting to discuss amendments to APD 1983 with the proposed amendment to Section 8 in the act chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamid on Tuesday.

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid said several important matters were thoroughly examined and discussed, especially the amendment to Section 8 of APD 1983.

According to him, the meeting agreed with the proposed amendments and recommendations submitted regarding Section 8 of APD 1983 which can ultimately prioritise any party needing treatment and rehabilitation.

“This section refers to the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts and drugs or substance abusers to get treatment voluntarily.

“May the efforts of both the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) in managing the issue of drugs and substance treatment and rehabilitation achieve the best benefits,” he said in a Facebook post.

Previously, the Cabinet Meeting last 30th April agreed to establish a Special Committee Meeting involving MOHA and MOH to discuss the proposed amendments of APD 1983.