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LAWS OF MALAYSIA
REPRINT
Act 234
DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT 1952
Incorporating all amendments up to 1 January 2006
PUBLISHED BY
THE COMMISSIONER OF LAW REVISION, MALAYSIA
UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE REVISION OF LAWS ACT 1968
IN COLLABORATION WITH
PERCETAKAN NASIONAL MALAYSIA BHD
2006
2
ACT 234
Laws of Malaysia
DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT 1952
First enacted
... ... ... ... ... ... 1952 (Ordinance No. 30
of 1952)
Revised
... ... ... ... ... ... ...
1980 (Act 234 w.e.f
17 July 1980)
PREVIOUS REPRINT
First Reprint
...
...
...
...
...
2000
Dangerous Drugs
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LAWS OF MALAYSIA
Act 234
DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT 1952
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section
1.
Short title
PART I
INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS
2.
Interpretation
3.
Appointment of Drug Enforcement Officers
PART II
CONTROL OF RAW OPIUM, COCA LEAVES,
POPPY-STRAW AND CANNABIS
4.
Restriction on importation of raw opium, coca leaves, poppy-straw and
cannabis
5.
Restriction on exportation of raw opium, coca leaves, poppy-straw and
cannabis
6.
Restriction on possession of raw opium, coca leaves, poppy-straw and
cannabis
6A. (Deleted)
6B. Restriction on planting or cultivation of certain plants
7.
Power to regulate the production of and dealing in raw opium, coca
leaves, poppy-straw and cannabis
PART III
CONTROL OF PREPARED OPIUM, CANNABIS
AND CANNABIS RESIN
8.
Application to cannabis and cannabis resin
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Section
9.
Possession, etc., of prepared opium
10.
Use of premises, possession of utensils and consumption of opium
PART IV
CONTROL OF CERTAIN DANGEROUS DRUGS
11.
Extent of application of Part IV
12.
Restriction on import and export of certain dangerous drugs
13.
Keeping or using premises for unlawful administration
14.
Administration to others
15.
Self administration
16.
Control of manufacture and sale of certain dangerous drugs
17.
Prohibition of trade, etc., in new drugs, and power to apply Part IV
with or without modifications to certain drugs
PART V
CONTROL OF EXTERNAL TRADE
18.
Interpretation
19.
Export of dangerous drugs
20.
Import of dangerous drugs
21.
Dangerous drugs in transit
22.
Removal licences in transit
23.
Drugs not to be tampered with
24.
The diversion of dangerous drugs in transit
25.
Exemption of preparation in the possession of travellers
PART VA
25A25P. (Deleted)
PART VI
ANCILLARY AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
26.
Interpretation
27.
Powers of inspection and seizure
27A. Power to intercept communication
28.
Obstruction of inspection or search
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Section
29.
Indemnity
30.
Seizure and forfeiture of drugs, etc.
30A. Things seized may be delivered to the owner or other person
31.
Power of arrest and seizure
31A. Examination of arrested person by a medical officer
31B. Procedure where investigation cannot be completed within twenty-
four hours by an officer of customs
32.
False declaration
33.
Abetments and attempts punishable as offences
34.
Abetting or procuring the commission of an offence abroad
35.
Liability of officers of a company and employers and servants
36.
Burden of proof
37.
Presumptions
37A. Admission of statements in evidence
37B. (Deleted)
38.
Ship or aircraft used for unlawful import or export
38A. Powers of the Court in respect of drug dependants below the age of
eighteen
38B. Powers of the Court in respect of persons found guilty under
section 15
39.
General penalty
39A. Increased penalty where the subject matter is the prescribed amount
of certain dangerous drugs
39B. Trafficking in dangerous drugs
39C. Increased penalty where person has prior admissions or convictions
40.
Protection of informers
40A. Evidence of agent provocateur admissible
41.
Jurisdiction
41A. Special provisions relating to transmission of a case to, and trial by,
the High Court
41B. No bail to be granted in respect of certain offences
42.
Power to conduct prosecutions
42A. Rewards
43.
Licences, permits, etc., may be subject to conditions
44.
Power of Minister to delegate powers and functions
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Section
45.
Power of Minister to exempt certain drugs and institutions from certain
provisions of the Act
45A. Power of the Minister to vary First Schedule
46.
Act not to derogate from other statutory or other legal provisions and
powers
47.
Regulations
48.
Drug Enforcement officers to be deemed public servants
49.
Action of officers no offence
50.
Repeal
FIRST SCHEDULE
SECOND SCHEDULE
THIRD SCHEDULE
Dangerous Drugs
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LAWS OF MALAYSIA
Act 234
DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT 1952
An Act to make further and better provision for the regulating of
the importation, exportation, manufacture, sale, and use of opium
and of certain other dangerous drugs and substances, to make
special provision relating to the jurisdiction of courts in respect
of offences thereunder and their trial, and for purposes connected
therewith.
[Peninsular Malaysia--1 November 1952,
L.N. 554/1952;
Sabah and Sarawak--1 June 1978,
P.U. (A) 157/1978]
Short title
1. This Act may be cited as the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
PART I
INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS
Interpretation
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires--
"aircraft" includes every description of craft which may be used
for the conveyance of passengers or goods by air;
"cannabis" means any part of any plant of the genus Cannabis
from which there is found to be present resin irrespective of its
quantity, and by whatever name the plant may be designated;
"cannabis resin" means the separated resin, whether crude or
purified, obtained from any plant of the genus Cannabis;
"coca leaves" means the leaves of any plant of the genus of the
Erythroxylaceae from which cocaine can be extracted either directly
or by chemical transformation;
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"Commission" means the Commission on Narcotic Drugs of the
Economic and Social Council of the United Nations;
"conveyance" includes ship, train, vehicle, aircraft, or any other
means of transport by which persons or goods can be carried;
"corresponding law" means any law stated in a certificate
purporting to be issued by or on behalf of the Government of any
country or territory to be a law providing for the control and
regulation in that country or territory of the manufacture, sale, use,
export, and import of drugs and substances in accordance with the
Geneva Convention (No. 1) or of the Geneva Convention (No. 2)
or of the Hague Convention or of the Protocol or of the Single
Convention and any statement in any such certificate (or in any
official copy thereof) as to the effect of the law mentioned in the
certificate (or in any official copy thereof), or any statement in any
such certificate (or in any official copy thereof) that any facts
constitute an offence against that law, shall be conclusive;
"dangerous drug" means any drug or substance which is for the
time being comprised in the First Schedule;
"Drug Enforcement Officer" means a Drug Enforcement Officer
appointed under section 3 of this Act;
"export", with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions,
in relation to Malaysia, means to take or cause to be taken out of
Malaysia by land, air or water, otherwise than in transit;
"Geneva Convention (No. 1)" means the Convention concluded
at the Second Opium Conference held at Geneva for the purpose
of completing and strengthening the Hague Convention and signed
at Geneva on 19 February 1925;
"Geneva Convention (No. 2)" means the Convention concluded
at a Conference held at Geneva for the purpose of supplementing
the Hague Convention and the Geneva Convention (No. 1) and
signed at Geneva on 13 July 1931;
"Hague Convention" means the International Opium Convention
signed at the Hague on 23 January 1912;
"import", with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions,
in relation to Malaysia, means to bring, or to cause to be brought
into Malaysia by land, air or water, otherwise than in transit;
Dangerous Drugs
9
"in transit" means taken or sent from any country and brought
into Malaysia by land, air or water (whether or not landed or
transhipped in Malaysia) for the sole purpose of being carried to
another country either by the same or another conveyance;
"licensed pharmacist" means a registered pharmacist who is the
holder of a Type A Licence issued under the Poisons Act 1952
[Act 366];
"manufacture", in relation to a dangerous drug, includes--
(a) the making, producing, compounding and assembling of
the drug;
(b) the making, producing, compounding and assembling a
preparation of the drug;
(c) the refining or transformation of the drug into another
dangerous drug; and
(d) any process done in the course of the foregoing activities;
"medicinal opium" means raw opium which has undergone the
processes necessary to adapt it for medicinal use in accordance
with the requirements of the British Pharmacopoeia, whether in
powder form or granulated or otherwise, or mixed with neutral
materials;
"Minister" means the Minister charged with the responsibility
for medical and health services;
"offence under this Act" includes an offence under any regulation
made under this Act;
"opium poppy" means any plant from which morphine may be
produced;
"Peninsular Malaysia" has the meaning assigned thereto in section
3 of the Interpretation Acts 1948 and 1967 [Act 388], and includes
the *Federal Territory;
"poppy-straw" means all parts except the seeds of the opium
poppy, after mowing;
"premises" includes any house, shop, store, room, cubicle, shed,
conveyance, or any place whether open or enclosed;
*NOTE--Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan are includedsee P.U. (A) 220/1985.
For Putrajaya see section 1 of Act A1095.
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"prepared opium" means the substance commonly called candu
and means opium prepared or re-prepared so as to be suitable for
smoking or consumption otherwise and includes dross and any
other residues remaining after such opium has been smoked;
"Protocol" means the Protocol on Narcotic Drugs signed at Lake
Success, New York, on 11 December 1946;
"raw opium" means the coagulated juice obtained from any
plant from which morphine may be produced, whatever its content
of morphine and in whatever form the coagulated juice is, but does
not include medicinal opium;
"registered dentist" means a dental practitioner as defined in
subsection 2(1) of the Dental Act 1971 [Act 51];
"registered dental surgeon" means a dental surgeon as defined
in subsection 2(1) of the Dental Act 1971;
"registered medical practitioner" means a medical practitioner
registered under the Medical Act 1971 [Act 50];
"registered pharmacist" means a pharmacist registered under
any written law relating to the registration of pharmacists, and
includes, in Sabah or Sarawak, a person holding a qualification
recognized by the Director of Medical Services in Sabah or Sarawak,
as the case may be, as a sufficient guarantee of the possession of
the requisite knowledge and skill for the efficient practice of the
profession of a pharmacist;
"ship" includes every description of ship, boat or craft used in
navigation, whether propelled by oars or otherwise, or used for the
carriage or storage of goods;
"Single Convention" means the Single Convention on Narcotic
Drugs signed at New York on 30 March 1961;
" s u b o r d i n a t e court" has the meaning assigned thereto in
section 3 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 [Act 91];
"syringe" means any instrument suitable for the administration
of hypodermic injections;
"trafficking" includes the doing of any of the following acts,
that is to say, manufacturing, importing, exporting, keeping,
concealing, buying, selling, giving, receiving, storing, administering,
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11
transporting, carrying, sending, delivering, procuring, supplying
or distributing any dangerous drug otherwise than under the authority
of this Act or the regulations made under the Act;
"veterinary surgeon" has the meaning assigned thereto in the
Veterinary Surgeons Act 1974 [Act 147];
"written law" has the meaning assigned thereto in the Interpretation
Acts 1948 and 1967.
Appointment of Drug Enforcement Officers
3. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong may appoint such persons as he
may think fit to be Drug Enforcement Officers for the purposes
of this Act.
PART II
CONTROL OF RAW OPIUM, COCA LEAVES,
POPPY-STRAW AND CANNABIS
Restriction on importation of raw opium, coca leaves, poppy-
straw and cannabis
4. (1) No person shall import into Malaysia any raw opium, coca
leaves, poppy-straw or cannabis except under and in accordance
with the authorization of the Minister and into such ports or places
as may be prescribed by such authorization.
(2) Any person who contravenes this section shall be guilty of
an offence against this Act, and shall be liable on conviction to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years and not less than
three years.
Restriction on exportation of raw opium, coca leaves, poppy-
straw and cannabis
5. (1) No persons shall export from Malaysia any raw opium,
coca leaves, poppy-straw or cannabis except under and in accordance
with the authorization of the Minister and from such ports or
places as may be prescribed by such authorization.
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(2) If at any time the importation of raw opium, coca leaves,
poppy-straw or cannabis into any country or territory is prohibited
or restricted by the laws of that country or territory, there shall,
while that prohibition or restriction is in force, be attached to
every authorization issued under this Part authorizing the exportation
of raw opium, coca leaves, poppy-straw or cannabis from Malaysia
such conditions as appear to the Minister necessary for preventing
or restricting, as the case may be, the exportation of raw opium,
coca leaves, poppy-straw or cannabis from Malaysia to that country
or territory during such time as the importation of raw opium, coca
leaves, poppy-straw or cannabis into that country or territory is so
prohibited or restricted, and any such authorizations issued before
the said prohibition or restriction came into force shall, if the
Minister so directs, be deemed to be subject to the like conditions.
(3) Any person who contravenes this section or of any condition
attached or applicable to any authorization under subsection (2)
shall be guilty of an offence against this Act and shall be liable
on conviction to *imprisonment for a term not exceeding five
years and not less than three years.
Restriction on possession of raw opium, coca leaves, poppy-
straw and cannabis
6. Any person who keeps or has in his possession, custody or
control any raw opium, coca leaves, poppy-straw or cannabis or
the seeds of the plants from which they may be obtained either
directly or indirectly, except under and in accordance with an
authorization such as is referred to in sections 4 and 5 or with any
regulation made under section 7 thereof, shall be guilty of an
offence against this Act and liable on conviction to a fine not
exceeding **twenty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding five years or to both.
6A.
(Deleted by Act A553).
Restriction on planting or cultivation of certain plants
6B. (1) No person shall--
(a) either on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person,
plant or cultivate any plant from which raw opium, coca
leaves, poppy-straw or cannabis may be obtained either
directly or indirectly;
*NOTE--Previously "fine not exceeding ten thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding five years or to both such fine and imprisonment"see Dangerous Drugs (Amendment)
Act 1973 [Act A194].
**NOTE--Previously "ten thousand ringgit"see Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A659].
Dangerous Drugs
13
(b) allow any plant, from which raw opium, coca leaves,
poppy-straw or cannabis may be obtained either directly
or indirectly, to be planted or cultivated by some other
person on land owned or occupied by him or in any
receptacle on such land; or
(c) allow any plant, from which raw opium, coca leaves,
poppy-straw or cannabis may be obtained either directly
or indirectly, planted or cultivated by some other person
on land owned or occupied by him or in any receptacle
on such land, to remain on such land or in such receptacle.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the
Minister from authorizing any public officer to plant or cultivate
any plant, from which raw opium, coca leaves, poppy-straw or
cannabis may be obtained either directly or indirectly, in places
and on such terms and conditions as may be specified in such
authorization for research, educational, experimental or medical
purposes.
(3) Any person who contravenes this section shall be guilty of
an offence against this Act and shall be punished on conviction
with imprisonment for life and with whipping of not less than six
strokes.
(4) Any person found on land or who occupies land on which,
or any person found in possession of any receptacle in which, any
plant, from which raw opium, coca leaves, poppy-straw or cannabis
may be obtained either directly or indirectly, is planted or cultivated
shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, to be the person
who planted or cultivated such plant.
Power to regulate the production of and dealing in raw opium,
coca leaves, poppy-straw and cannabis
7. (1) The Minister may make regulations for prohibiting, controlling
and restricting the cultivation, production, possession, sale and
distribution of raw opium, coca leaves, poppy-straw or cannabis.
(2) All such regulations shall be made in accordance with
section 47.
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PART III
CONTROL OF PREPARED OPIUM, CANNABIS
AND CANNABIS RESIN
Application to cannabis and cannabis resin
8. In this Part any reference to prepared opium or opium shall
be construed as including a reference to cannabis, cannabis resin
and substances of which such resin forms the base.
Possession, etc., of prepared opium
9. (1) No person shall--
(a) import into or export from Malaysia; or
(b) keep or have in his possession, custody or control; or
(c) manufacture, sell or otherwise deal in,
any prepared opium.
(2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty
of an offence against this Act and shall be liable on conviction to
a fine not exceeding *twenty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding five years or to both.
Use of premises, possession of utensils and consumption of
opium
10. (1) If any person--
(a) being the owner or occupier of any premises permits
those premises to be used for the purpose of making
p r e p a r e d opium or for the sale or the smoking or
consumption otherwise of prepared opium; or
(b) is concerned in the management of any premises used for
any such purposes as aforesaid,
he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act and shall be liable
on conviction to a fine not exceeding **ten thousand ringgit or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding **three years or to both.
*NOTE--Previously "ten thousand ringgit"see Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A659].
**NOTE--Previously "five thousand ringgit" and "two years imprisonment"see Dangerous Drugs
(Amendment) Act 1972 [Act A112].
Dangerous Drugs
15
(2) If any person--
(a) has in his possession any pipe or other utensil for use in
connection with the smoking of prepared opium, or any
utensil used in the preparation of opium for smoking or
consumption otherwise; or
(b) smokes or otherwise consumes prepared opium or frequents
any place or places used for the purpose of smoking or
otherwise consuming prepared opium,
he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act and shall be liable
on conviction to a fine not exceeding *five thousand ringgit or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding *two years or to both.
(3) In this section "consume" with its grammatical variations
means eat, chew, smoke, swallow, drink, inhale, or introduce into
the body in any manner or by any means whatsoever.
PART IV
CONTROL OF CERTAIN DANGEROUS DRUGS
Extent of application of Part IV
11. (1) This Part applies to dangerous drugs listed in Parts III, IV
and V of the First Schedule.
(2) If it appears to the Minister that any other derivative of
cocaine or morphine or of any salts of cocaine or morphine or of
any other alkaloid of opium or any other drug of whatever kind
or any substance whatever is or is likely to be productive, if
improperly used, or is capable of being converted into a substance
which is, or is likely to be productive, if improperly used, of ill
effects substantially of the same character or nature as or analogous
to those produced by cocaine or morphine, the Minister may by
order declare that this Part shall apply to that derivative or alkaloid
or other drug or that substance in the same manner as it applies
to the drugs mentioned in subsection (1).
(3) The Minister may by order amend Parts III, IV and V of
the First Schedule by including therein any drug or substance in
respect of which an order has been made under subsection (2) or
by removing therefrom any drug or substance which has been
exempted from the provisions of this Act by an order or regulations
made under section 45.
*NOTE--Previously "two thousand ringgit" and "one year imprisonment"see Dangerous Drugs
(Amendment) Act 1972 [Act A112].
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Restriction on import and export of certain dangerous drugs
12. (1) No person shall except under the authorization of the
Minister--
(a) import into Malaysia any dangerous drug specified in
Parts III, IV and V of the First Schedule; or
(b) export from Malaysia any dangerous drug specified in
Parts III and IV of the First Schedule.
(2) No person shall have in his possession, custody or control
any dangerous drug to which this Part applies unless he is authorized
to be in possession, custody or control of such drug or is deemed
to be so authorized under this Act or the regulations made
thereunder.
(3) Any person who contravenes subsection (2) of this section
shall be guilty of an offence against this Act and shall be liable
on conviction to a fine not exceeding *one hundred thousand
ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding **five years
or to both.
(4) Any person who is a public officer employed at any prison,
rehabilitation centre, police lock-up or place of detention shall, on
his conviction under subsection (3) for contravening subsection
(2), be liable to whipping of not more than three strokes in addition
to the punishment to which he is liable under subsection (3).
Keeping or using premises for unlawful administration
13. Any person who--
(a) being the occupier of any premises, and not being a
registered medical practitioner or a registered dentist,
keeps or uses such premises for the purpose of the
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of any dangerous drug specified in
Parts III and IV of the First Schedule to a human being;
or
(b) being the owner or occupier of any premises permits
s u c h premises to be used for the purpose of the
administration of any such dangerous drug to a human
being by any person other than a registered medical
*NOTE--Previously "twenty thousand ringgit"see Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 1998
[Act A1025].
**NOTE--Previously "three years"see Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 1973 [Act A194].
Dangerous Drugs
17
practitioner or registered dentist or a person acting under
the directions of a registered medical practitioner or
registered dentist; or
(c) being the owner or occupier of any premises permits
such premises to be used for the purpose of the smoking
or consumption otherwise of any such dangerous drug by
a human being,
shall be guilty of an offence against this Act, and shall be liable
on conviction to a fine not exceeding ten thousand ringgit or to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding *five years or to both.
Administration to others
14. (1) Any person who administers any dangerous drug specified
in Parts III and IV of the First Schedule to any other person shall
be guilty of an offence against this Act and shall be liable on
conviction to a fine not exceeding ten thousand ringgit or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to render unlawful
the administration of any such drug by or under the directions of
a registered medical practitioner or a registered dentist or a medical
or dental officer of any visiting force lawfully present in Malaysia
who is resident in Malaysia on full pay and acting in the course
of his duty.
Self administration
15. (1) Any person who--
(a) consumes, administers to himself or suffers any other
person, contrary to section 14 to administer to him any
dangerous drug specified in Parts III and IV of the First
Schedule; or
(b) is found in any premises kept or used for any of the
purposes specified in section 13 in order that any such
dangerous drug may be administered to or smoked or
otherwise consumed by him,
shall be guilty of an offence against this Act and shall be liable
on conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand ringgit or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
*NOTE--Previously "three years"see Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 1973 [Act A194].
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(2) For the purpose of this section, "consumes" includes eat,
chew, smoke, swallow, drink, inhale or introduce into the body in
any manner or by any means whatsoever.
Control of manufacture and sale of certain dangerous
drugs
16. (1) For the purpose of preventing the improper use of the
dangerous drugs specified in Parts III, IV and V of the First
Schedule, the Minister may make regulations to provide for
controlling the manufacture, sale, possession, and distribution of
such drugs, and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality
of the foregoing power, for--
(a) prohibiting the manufacture of any such drug except on
premises licensed for the purpose and subject to any
conditions specified in the licence;
(b) prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or distribution of any
s u c h drug except by persons licensed or otherwise
authorized under the regulations and subject to any
conditions specified in the licence or authority;
(c) regulating the issue by registered medical practitioners,
registered dentists, and veterinary surgeons of prescriptions
containing any such drug, and the dispensing of any such
prescriptions;
(d) requiring persons engaged in the manufacture, sale or
distribution of any such drug to keep such books and to
furnish such information, either in writing or otherwise,
as may be prescribed; and
(e) prescribing the marking of packages, bottles or containers
in which any such drug is supplied.
(2) The regulations made under this section may provide for
authorizing any licensed pharmacist in accordance with any written
law relating to poisons from time to time in force in Malaysia or
any part thereof--
(a) to manufacture in the ordinary course of his retail business
any preparation, admixture, or extract of any dangerous
drug specified in Parts III, IV and V of the First Schedule;
and
Dangerous Drugs
19
(b) to carry on the business of retailing, dispensing, or
compounding any such drug,
subject in each case to the power of the Minister to withdraw the
authorization in the case of a person who has been convicted of
an offence against this Act, and who cannot, in the opinion of the
M i n i s t e r properly be allowed to carry on the business of
manufacturing, selling, or distributing, as the case may be, any
such drug.
(3) Nothing contained in any regulation made under this section
shall be construed as authorizing the sale, or the keeping of an
open shop for the retailing, dispensing, or compounding of poisons
by any person who is not duly qualified in that behalf under, or
otherwise than in accordance with, any written law relating to
poisons from time to time in force in Malaysia or any part thereof,
or as derogating from the said Act, for prohibiting, restricting, or
regulating the sale of poisons.
(4) All such regulations shall be made in accordance with
section 47.
Prohibition of trade, etc., in new drugs, and power to apply
Part IV with or without modifications to certain drugs
17. (1) It shall not be lawful for any person to trade in, or manufacture
for the purposes of trade, any products obtained from any of the
phenanthrene alkaloids of opium or from the ecgonine alkaloids
of the coca leaf, not being a product which was on 30 March 1961,
being used for medical or scientific purposes or not being a substance
specified in the First Schedule:
Provided that if the Minister is at any time satisfied as respects
any such product that it is of medical or scientific value, the
Minister may by order direct that this subsection shall cease to
apply to that product.
If any person acts in contravention of this subsection, he shall
be guilty of an offence against this Act, and shall be liable on
conviction to a fine not exceeding ten thousand ringgit or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding *five years or to both.
*NOTE--Previously "three years"see Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 1973 [Act A194].
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(2) If it is made to appear to the Minister that a decision with
respect to any such product as is mentioned in subsection (1) has
in pursuance of article 3 of the Single Convention been communicated
by the Secretary General of the United Nations Organization to the
parties to the said Convention, the Minister may by order, as the
case requires, either declare that this Part shall apply to that product
in the same manner as they apply to the drugs mentioned in
subsection 11(1) or apply this Part to that product with such
modifications as may be specified in the order.
(3) The Minister may by order make, in the First Schedule, any
alterations incidental to the inclusion of any such drug or substance
in such Schedule.
PART V
CONTROL OF EXTERNAL TRADE
Interpretation
18.
In this Part--
"Convention" means the Single Convention;
"diversion certificate" means a certificate issued by the competent
authority of a country through which a dangerous drug passes in
transit, authorizing the diversion of such drug to a country other
than that specified as the country of ultimate destination in the
export authorization, and containing all the particulars required to
be included in an export authorization, together with the name of
the country from which the consignment was originally exported;
"export authorization" means an authorization issued by a
competent authority in a country from which a dangerous drug is
exported;
"import authorization" means a licence, issued by a competent
authority in a country into which it is intended to import dangerous
drugs.
Dangerous Drugs
21
Export of dangerous drugs
19. (1) Upon the production of an import authorization or an
approval of import certificate duly issued by the competent authority
in any country, it shall be lawful for the Minister to issue an export
authorization in the Form B set out in the Second Schedule in
respect of any drug referred to in the import authorization to any
person who is named as the exporter in such import authorization,
and is, under this Act, otherwise lawfully entitled to export such
drug from Malaysia. The export authorization shall be prepared in
triplicate and two copies shall be issued to the exporter who shall
send one copy with the drug to which it refers when such drug is
exported. The Minister shall send the third copy direct to the
appropriate authority of the country of ultimate destination. Where
the intended exportation is to a country which is not a party to the
C o n v e n t i o n , it shall not be necessary to produce an import
authorization as aforesaid. In all cases it shall be in the absolute
discretion of the Minister to issue or refuse an export authorization,
as he may see fit.
(2) No dangerous drug shall be exported from Malaysia unless
the consignor is in possession of a valid and subsisting export
authorization relating to such drug granted under this Act.
(3) At the time of exportation of any dangerous drug the exporter
shall produce to such officer as the Minister may appoint, the
dangerous drug, the export authorization relating thereto, and such
other evidence as such officer may require to satisfy him that the
drug is being lawfully exported to the place and person named in
the authorization which refers to it.
(4) Any person who shall export any dangerous drug from
Malaysia except in pursuance of and in accordance with this Act
and the terms and conditions of any authorization or licence granted
under this Act in respect of such export shall be guilty of an
offence against this Act, and shall be liable on conviction to
*imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years and not less
than three years.
*NOTE--Previously "fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding three years or to both such fine and imprisonment"see Dangerous Drugs (Amendment)
Act 1973 [Act A194].
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Import of dangerous drugs
20. (1) An import authorization in the Form C set out in the
Second Schedule permitting the importation into Malaysia of any
dangerous drug specified therein may be granted by the Minister,
subject to such conditions as he shall deem fit, to any person who
may lawfully import such drug and such conditions shall be endorsed
upon the import authorization.
(2) Where an import authorization is issued in pursuance of
subsection (1), the Minister shall also issue, in relation to the
dangerous drug intended to be imported, an approval of import
certificate in the Form A set out in the Second Schedule which
shall be forwarded by the intending importer to the person from
whom the drug is to be obtained. When the importer to whom an
import authorization is issued under this section intends to import
the drug or drugs to which such authorization relates in more than
one consignment, a separate approval of import certificate shall be
issued to him in respect of each such consignment.
(3) No dangerous drug shall be imported into Malaysia unless
the person to whom the drug is consigned is in possession of a
valid and subsisting import authorization granted in pursuance of
this section.
(4) Every dangerous drug imported into Malaysia from a country
which is a party to the Convention shall be accompanied by a valid
and subsisting export authorization or diversion certificate.
(5) Any person who shall import any dangerous drug into Malaysia
except in pursuance of and in accordance with this Act and the
terms and conditions of any approval, authorization or licence
granted under this Act in respect of such import shall be guilty of
an offence against this Act, and shall be liable on conviction to
*imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years and not less
than three years.
Dangerous drugs in transit
21. (1) No person shall bring any dangerous drug to Malaysia in
transit unless--
(a) the drug is in course of transit from a country from which
it may lawfully be exported, to another country into which
such drug may lawfully be imported; and
*NOTE--Previously "fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars or to imprinsonment for a term not
exceeding three years or to both such fine and imprisonment"see Dangerous Drugs (Amendment)
Act 1973 [Act A194].
Dangerous Drugs
23
(b) except where the drug comes from a country not a party
to the Convention, it is accompanied by a valid and
subsisting export authorization or diversion certificate,
as the case may be.
(2) Where any dangerous drug in transit is accompanied by an
export authorization or diversion certificate and there are reasonable
grounds for believing that such authorization or certificate is false,
or that it has been obtained by fraud or wilful misrepresentation
of a material particular, it shall be lawful for the Minister, or any
officer authorized by him in that behalf, to seize and detain the
drug to which such authorization or certificate relates. Upon being
satisfied that such authorization or certificate is valid or has not
been obtained by fraud or misrepresentation as aforesaid, the Minister
or such officer shall release the drug.
(3) Where the dangerous drug in transit is not accompanied by
an export authorization or diversion certificate by reason of the
fact that the drug comes from a country not a party to the Convention
and there are reasonable grounds for believing that such drug is
being conveyed in an unlawful manner or for an unlawful purpose
or is in course of transit for the purpose of being imported into
another country in contravention of the laws of that country, it
shall be lawful for the Minister, or any officer authorized by him
in that behalf, to seize and detain the drug.
(4) Where a dangerous drug brought into Malaysia in transit
is landed, or transhipped in Malaysia, it shall be stored and dealt
with as the Minister may direct and shall be moved only under and
in accordance with a removal licence granted in pursuance of
section 22.
(5) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to apply to any
dangerous drug in transit by post or in transit by air if the aircraft
passes over Malaysia without landing, or to such quantities of
dangerous drugs as may reasonably form part of the medical stores
of any ship or aircraft.
(6) Any person who brings any dangerous drug into Malaysia
in transit otherwise than in accordance with this section shall be
guilty of an offence against this Act, and shall be liable on conviction
to a fine not exceeding *twenty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding *five years or to both.
*NOTE--Previously "ten thousand ringgit" and "three years imprisonment"see Dangerous Drugs
(Amendment) Act 1973 [Act A194].
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Removal licences in transit
22. (1) No person shall--
(a) in any way move any such drug from the conveyance by
which it is brought into Malaysia in transit; or
(b) in any way move any such drug in Malaysia at any time
after removal from such conveyance,
except under and in accordance with a licence (in the Form D set
out in the Second Schedule and in this Act referred to as a "removal
licence") issued by the Minister. In all cases it shall be in the
absolute discretion of the Minister to issue or refuse a removal
licence as he shall deem fit.
(2) No removal licence for the transfer of any such drug to any
conveyance for removal out of Malaysia shall be issued unless and
until a valid and subsisting export authorization or diversion certificate
relating to it is produced to the Minister save that where the drug
has come from a country not a party to the Convention this subsection
shall not apply.
(3) This section shall not apply to dangerous drugs in transit by
post.
(4) Notwithstanding this section the Minister may in his absolute
discretion authorize the temporary removal for safe custody of
such quantities of dangerous drugs as may reasonably form part
of the medical stores of any ship or aircraft on such terms and
subject to such conditions as he shall think fit.
(5) Any person who contravenes this section shall be guilty of
an offence against this Act, and shall be liable on conviction to
a fine not exceeding *twenty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding *five years or to both.
Drugs not to be tampered with
23. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to cause any dangerous
drug in transit to be subjected to any process which would alter
its nature, or wilfully to open or break any package containing a
*NOTE--Previously "ten thousand ringgit" and "three years imprisonment"see Dangerous Drugs
(Amendment) Act 1973 [Act A194].
Dangerous Drugs
25
dangerous drug in transit except upon the instructions of the Minister
or of any officer authorized by the Minister to give such instructions
and in such manner as he or such officer may direct.
(2) Any person who contravenes this section shall be guilty of
an offence against this Act, and shall be liable on conviction to
a fine not exceeding *twenty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding *five years or to both.
The diversion of dangerous drugs in transit
24. (1) No person shall, except under the authority and in accordance
with the terms and conditions of a diversion certificate in the Form
E set out in the Second Schedule, cause or procure any dangerous
drug brought into Malaysia in transit to be diverted to any destination
other than that to which it was originally consigned. In the case
of any drug in transit accompanied by an export authorization or
a diversion certificate issued by a competent authority of some
other country, the country to which the drug was originally consigned
shall be deemed to be the country stated in such export authorization
or diversion certificate to be the country of destination.
(2) The Minister may, in his absolute discretion, issue a diversion
certificate in respect of any dangerous drug in transit upon production
to him of a valid and subsisting import certificate issued by a
competent authority in the country to which it is proposed to divert
the drug, or if that country is not a party to the Convention upon
such evidence as may satisfy him that the drug is to be sent in a
lawful manner and for a proper purpose.
(3) A diversion certificate shall be issued in duplicate: one copy
thereof shall accompany the drug when it is removed from Malaysia;
another copy shall be despatched by or on behalf of the Minister
direct to the proper authority in the country to which the consignment
has been diverted.
(4) U p o n the issue of a diversion certificate the export
authorization or diversion certificate (if any) accompanying the
drug on its arrival in Malaysia shall be detained by the Minister
or by such officer as the Minister may appoint to perform such
duties and returned to the authority issuing such authorization or
diversion certificate together with a notification of the name of the
country to which such drug has been diverted.
*NOTE--Previously "ten thousand ringgit" and "three years imprisonment"see Dangerous Drugs
(Amendment) Act 1973 [Act A194].
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Laws of Malaysia
(5) Any person who contravenes this section shall be guilty of
an offence against this Act, and shall be liable on conviction to
a fine not exceeding *twenty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding *five years or to both.
Exemption of preparation in the possession of travellers
25. Nothing in this Part shall be deemed to apply to such quantity
of any dangerous drug in the form of a medicinal preparation in
the possession of any person arriving in Malaysia by land, air or
water from any place outside Malaysia as is reasonably required
for the use of such person and which has been supplied to such
person bona fide by or on the prescription of a medical practitioner
residing outside Malaysia in accordance with the law of the country
in which such drug was so supplied, provided that such person
shall, as soon as possible on arrival, declare his possession of such
dangerous drug to an officer having authority under this Act to
search such person and shall submit to such medical examination
as may be required of him.
PART VA
25A25P.
(Deleted by Act 283).
PART VI
ANCILLARY AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
Interpretation
26. In this Part--
"senior officer of customs" and "officer of customs" have,
respectively, the same meaning as that assigned to such expressions
in the Customs Act 1967 [Act 235].
Powers of inspection and seizure
27. (1) Whenever it appears to any Magistrate or Justice of the
Peace, upon information and after such inquiry as he thinks necessary,
that there is reasonable cause to believe that in or on any premises
there is concealed or deposited any dangerous drug, syringe, pipe,
lamp, utensil or other article liable to forfeiture under this Act, or
*NOTE--Previously "ten thousand ringgit" and "three years imprisonment"see Dangerous Drugs
(Amendment) Act 1973 [Act A194].
Dangerous Drugs
27
as to which an offence under this Act has been committed, or any
book or document directly or indirectly relating to or connected
with any transaction or dealing which was, or any intended transaction
or dealing which would if carried out be, an offence under this
Act, or, in the case of a transaction or dealing carried out or
intended to be carried out in any place outside Malaysia, an offence
under the provisions of any corresponding law in force in that
place, such Magistrate or Justice of the Peace may, by his warrant
directed to any police officer not below the rank of Sergeant or
to any officer of customs or to any Drug Enforcement Officer,
empower such officer by day or by night--
(a) to enter such premises and there to search for, and seize
and detain, any such dangerous drug, article, book or
document;
(b) where the officer is a police officer or an officer of
customs, to arrest any person or persons being in or on
such premises in whose possession any dangerous drug
or article subject to forfeiture under this Act is found, or
whom the officer reasonably believes to have concealed
or deposited such dangerous drug or article; and
(c) to seize and detain any book or document found in or on
such premises or on such person.
(2) Such officer may if it is necessary so to do--
(a) break open any outer or inner door or window of such
premises and enter thereinto;
(b) forcibly enter such premises and every part thereof;
(c) remove by force any obstruction to such entry, search,
seizure and removal as he is empowered to effect;
(d) detain every person found in or on such premises, until
such premises have been searched.
(3) Any police officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector or
any senior officer of customs or any Drug Enforcement Officer or
any person authorized in that behalf by any general or special
order of the Minister may, for the purposes of this Act, enter the
premises of any person carrying on the business of a producer,
manufacturer, seller or distributor of any dangerous drug and demand
the production of, and inspect, any book or document relating to
dealing in any such dangerous drug, and inspect any stock of such
dangerous drug.
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Laws of Malaysia
(4) Whenever it appears to any police officer not below the
rank of Sub-Inspector or to any senior officer of customs or to any
Drug Enforcement Officer that there is reasonable cause to believe
that in or on any premises there is concealed or deposited, in
contravention of this Act, any dangerous drug, syringe, pipe, lamp,
utensil or other article or any such book or document as is described
in subsection (1) and he has good grounds for believing that, by
reason of the delay in obtaining a search warrant, the object of the
search is likely to be frustrated, he may exercise in, upon and in
respect of such premises all the powers mentioned in subsection
(1), except, in the case of a Drug Enforcement Officer, the power
of arrest, in as full and ample a manner as if he were empowered
to do so by warrant issued under the said subsection.
(5) Any police officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector or
any senior officer of customs shall be entitled to exercise in, upon
and in respect of any ship, not being or having the status of a ship
of war, or any aircraft, islet, landing place or wharf or any warehouse
or place adjoining a wharf, and used in connection therewith, all
the powers mentioned in subsection (1) in as full and ample a
manner as if he were empowered to do so by warrant issued under
the said subsection.
(6) Any police officer or officer of customs may, for the purpose
of carrying out this Act, board any ship, not being or having the
status of a ship of war, or any aircraft and remain on board as long
as such ship or aircraft remains in Malaysia.
(7) Any box, chest, package or other article, which is being
landed or has been recently landed from any ship or which is in
or upon any ship (not being or having the status of a ship of war),
aircraft, islet, landing place or wharf, or which is being removed
from any such ship, islet, landing place or wharf, or which is being
brought into, or has recently been brought into Malaysia, by land,
air or water, or is about to be taken out of Malaysia by land, air
or water--
(a) may be examined and searched by any officer of customs
and may be detained until any person in charge or possession
thereof has opened the same to admit of such examination
and search and in default of such opening may be removed
by such officer to a police station or to a customs office;
Dangerous Drugs
29
(b) may be broken open by the order of any senior officer
of customs to facilitate such examination and search:
Provided that any person in charge, or in possession of such
box, chest, package or other article shall be afforded every reasonable
facility for being present at such breaking open, examination or
search.
(8) Any police officer or any officer of customs may stop and
search any conveyance which he has reasonable ground for believing
to be used for the carriage of any dangerous drug in contravention
of this Act.
(9) Any person landing or being about to land or having recently
landed from any ship, or leaving any ship in the waters of Malaysia,
whether for the purpose of landing or otherwise, or entering or
having recently entered Malaysia by land, air or water, or being
about to leave Malaysia by land, air or water shall--
(a) on demand by any officer of customs, either permit his
person and goods and baggage to be searched by such
o f f i c e r or, together with such goods and baggage,
accompany such officer to a police station or a customs
office, and there permit his person, goods and baggage
to be searched by any officer of customs in the presence
and under the supervision of a senior officer of customs;
(b) on demand by any senior officer of customs, permit his
person and goods and baggage to be searched by him or
by some other officer of customs in his presence and
under his supervision:
Provided that the goods of any person who claims to be present
when these are searched shall not be searched except in his presence
and provided that no female shall be searched except by a female.
Power to intercept communication
27A. (1) N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g any other written law, the Public
Prosecutor, if he considers that it is likely to contain any information
relating to the commission of an offence against this Act or to an
act preparatory to or for the purpose of committing an offence
against this Act, may, on the application of a police officer not
30
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Laws of Malaysia
below the rank of Superintendent of Police or of an officer of
customs not below the rank of Assistant Director of Customs and
Excise, authorize any police officer or officer of customs, as the
case may be--
(a) to intercept, detain and open any postal article in the
course of transmission by post;
(b) to intercept any message transmitted or received by any
telecommunication; or
(c) to intercept or listen to any conversation by
telecommunication.
(2) When any person is charged with an offence against this
Act, any information obtained by a police officer or officer of
customs in pursuance of subsection (1), whether before or after
such person is charged, shall be admissible at his trial in evidence.
( 3 ) A n authorization by the Public Prosecutor under
subsection (1) may be given either orally or in writing, and either
to any particular police officer or officer of customs, or generally
to the Inspector General of Police and all other police officers or
the Director General of Customs and Excise and all other officers
of customs:
Provided that where an oral authorization is given, the Public
Prosecutor shall, as soon as practicable, reduce the authorization
into writing.
(4) A certificate by the Public Prosecutor that the action taken
by a police officer or an officer of customs in pursuance of subsection
(1) had been authorized by him under subsection (1) shall be
conclusive evidence that it had been so authorized, and such certificate
shall be admissible in evidence without proof of signature thereof.
(5) No person shall be under any duty, obligation or liability,
or be in any manner compelled, to disclose in any proceedings the
procedure, method, manner or means, or any matter whatsoever
related thereto, with regard to anything done under paragraph(1)(a),
(b) or (c).
Dangerous Drugs
31
(6) For the purpose of this section--
"postal article" shall have the same meaning as in the
*Postal Services Act 1991 [Act 465]; and
"telecommunication" shall have the same meaning as in
the **Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 [Act 588].
Obstruction of inspection or search
28. Any person who--
(a) refuses any officer authorized to enter or search access
to any premises, or conveyance; or
(b) assaults, obstructs, hinders or delays him in effecting any
entrance which he is entitled to effect under this Act, or
in the execution of any duty imposed or power conferred
by this Act; or
(c) fails to comply with any lawful demands of any police
officer or officer of customs in the execution of his duty
under this Act; or
(d) refuses or neglects to give any information which may
reasonably be required of him and which he has it in his
power to give; or
(e) fails to produce or conceals or attempts to conceal any
book, document, dangerous drug, syringe, pipe, lamp, or
utensil in relation to which there is reasonable ground
for suspecting that an offence has been or is being
committed against this Act; or
(f) rescues or endeavours to rescue or causes to be rescued
any things which have been duly seized; or
(g) furnishes to any officer as true, information which he
knows or has reason to believe to be false; or
(h) before or after any seizure, breaks or otherwise destroys
anything to prevent the seizure thereof, or the securing
of the same,
shall be guilty of an offence against this Act, and shall be liable
on conviction to a fine not exceeding two thousand ringgit or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both.
**NOTE--This Act has replaced the Post Office Act 1947 [Act 211]see section 50 of Act 465.
**NOTE--This Act has replaced the Telecommunications Act 1950 [Act 20]see subsection 273(1)
of Act 588.
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Laws of Malaysia
Indemnity
29. (1) The Government shall not be liable to make good any
damage which any goods or other property may sustain as a result
of an entry, search or detention under this Act, unless such damage
shall have been caused by the wilful neglect or default of an
officer employed by the Government.
(2) In the event of any dispute as to the amount of any damage
so caused the same |