The Deputy Prime Minister said the step was being taken following calls by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) and the Royal Malaysia Police for such courts to clear backlogged remand drug cases.
“Brainstorming sessions by the AADK found these special courts was the best way to go for faster clearing of drug cases,” he told a press conference today.
Earlier, Zahid, who is also Home Minister, had attended the brain-storming session for enhancing cooperation between agencies that included the AADK, police, Customs Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and representatives of various NGOs.
Present were Malacca Chief Minister Idris Haron, Attorney-General Mohamad Apandi Ali and Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar.
Elaborating further, Zahid said the outcome of the brainstorming session would be presented to the Cabinet as a memorandum paper, which would include, among others, enforcement, rehabilitation and eradication of drugs for the long term.
“What is important is the commitment of all parties, especially the NGOs, and a new approach, including emphasis on religion and spirituality, and hopefully strong willpower on the part of the addicts.”
At the same time, all the enforcement agencies will continue with their enforcement activities.
“The success of Bukit Aman’s STING (Special Tactical Intelligence Narcotics Group), which has made no less than 26,000 arrests last year, with items worth more than RM500 million confiscated, is highly commendable.
“The success is the result of cooperation between various enforcement agencies, ministries and departments involved in the eradication of drugs.”
Zahid said besides Malaysia, other Asean nations were also committed to making their countries drug-free.
Meanwhile, at the same media conference, Apandi said Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam would be among the first locations for the setting up of the special court to resolve the problem of outstanding cases.
“This is the outcome of my telephone conversation with the Chief Justice (Tun Arifin Zakaria). There is a big number of outstanding cases.”
On another matter, Zahid no decision had been made on the recent proposal by the Inspector-General of Police to increase the compound fine for traffic offences.
“I ask the public to give their views on what measures can be taken.
“Do not just comment on what the IGP is saying, but give views so that there are fewer traffic fatalities, the accident rate can be brought down and enforcement does not have to be troublesome but awareness is increased.”
Police had suggested increasing the present RM300 maximum fine for traffic offences as motorists had been using the emergency lanes on highways and ignoring other traffic rules, contributing to the high accident rate.
– BERNAMA