The group, which includes Malaysian AIDS Foundation chairman Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman and Malaysian AIDS Council president Dr Raja Iskandar Shah Raja Azwa, extended their appreciation to MPs from both sides for considering the concerns expressed by stakeholders.

“Their dedication facilitated an informed parliamentary debate and a positive outcome to further deliberate on the nuances of the proposed law changes,” they said in a statement.

“We commend the minister and MPs for advancing a supportive and health-focussed approach to addressing drug addiction, advocating for a shift away from punitive measures against drug users.”

They also commended the debate in the Dewan Rakyat, which favoured future decriminalisation policies.

Yesterday, Saifuddin announced that the government would defer the second reading of the Act and that MPs, legal experts and NGOs would be called in to review the bill.

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.

In the statement, the experts also offered their expertise to help formulate legislative revisions, expand treatment options, pilot new legislation, develop standard operating procedures and enhance public education.

“Furthermore, we propose collaborating with the government to study successful decriminalisation policies implemented in other countries and adapt them to fit the Malaysian context.”

They further recommended that a national drug summit be held in 2025 to elevate discussions on drug decriminalisation.