Saifuddin said his ministry intends to consult the parliamentary select committees for health and security.

“MPs, legal experts and NGOs will be called in to review the bill,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.

The bill, tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat last week, aims to expand the scope of treatment and rehabilitation for drug or substance addicts.

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) previously recommended halting the bill for proper engagement with stakeholders, citing a lack of “expert guidance and input”.

MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz said under the bill, a magistrate could, on the recommendation of a rehabilitation officer, order a drug user to undergo treatment and rehabilitation at a centre for two years.

She also said rehabilitation officers were not qualified to make recommendations on managing substance dependants as they were not doctors.

But Saifuddin said rehabilitation officers had received training from an international accreditation organisation.

“They hold certified treatment and rehabilitation practice certificates,” he said.

He added that these officers were qualified in psychology, counselling psychology, and clinical psychology, with some holding master’s degrees in substance abuse, counselling, and clinical psychology.

Saifuddin also said the Act still assigned a significant role to medical officers.

“In the first two weeks, rehabilitation officers will conduct various tests according to international standards.

“If they find that the health issues are beyond their capabilities, the individual will be referred to a medical officer,” he said.