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THE Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) 1952, enacted over seven decades ago, must be amended to address the increasingly sophisticated and digital methods used in drug trafficking today, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has said.
Citing the alarming rise in online drug sales, the Chairman of the Alliance for a Safe Community stressed that current legislation is inadequate to tackle the ways in which criminal syndicates now exploit technology.
“Amending the Dangerous Drugs Act is urgent because drug syndicates are exploiting digital platforms to avoid detection,” he said in a statement issued today.
“New laws must provide enforcement agencies with stronger powers to detect, intercept and dismantle these criminal networks.”
He pointed out that online platforms, encrypted messaging apps, and social media are now widely used to promote and sell illicit drugs, especially to young people.
“These measures are necessary to protect the vulnerable youth, who are often targeted via online drug sales. Teenagers and young adults, due to their lack of awareness, are particularly susceptible.”
According to Lam Thye, legal loopholes are enabling traffickers to bypass enforcement, as the current provisions fall short in addressing online drug demand, encrypted transactions, and the use of delivery services for distribution.
“With clearer provisions and a broader interpretation of ‘trafficking’, enforcement agencies and prosecutors will be better equipped to secure convictions,” he added.
He called on policymakers to act decisively in modernising the Act so that Malaysia can effectively combat the digital evolution of the drug trade.
“Drug abuse and trafficking remain among the most serious threats to national security, public health, and family well-being. It destroys lives, fuels crime, and erodes the fabric of society.”
“The safety of our people, especially the younger generation, must always be a national priority,” he said. - September 14, 2025