How Much Drugs Can Land A Person The Death Penalty In Malaysia?

In Malaysia, some drug offences are punishable by death.

Subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest stories and updates.

Recently, news broke out about a man who was given the death penalty after he was found guilty of distributing 208 grammes of cannabis, two years ago.

Based on reports from Sinar, he was charged with Section 39B (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which is punishable in accordance with Section 39B (2) of the same act.

He was accused of distributing 208 grams of marijuana in front of the food court at Jalan Rozhan Alma, near Bukit Mertajam at about 8.15 pm on 16 January 2018.

There’s also the case of ‘Mat Tarzan‘ who was caught growing cannabis in his front yard. He was investigated under Section 6B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for the illegal cultivation of cannabis as well as Section 15 for personal drug use.

According to reports, there are three drug-related offences that is punishable by law:

for personal use
drug posession
drug trafficking.

Out of the three, drug possession and trafficking offenses are the most serious and can carry the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Drug Bust | Selangor police detain two men involved in drug processing | Malay Mail - Selangor Police — Picture Credit: Malay Mail

The weight for a person to be charged with the death penalty differs from each type of drug and it ranges from as little as 15 grammes to 1,000 grammes.

Below is the list according to the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952:

Plant-based

1,000 grammes or more in weight of prepared opium
1,000 grammes or more in weight of raw opium
A total of 1,000 grammes or more in weight of prepared opium and raw opium
200 grammes or more in weight of cannabis
200 grammes or more in weight of cannabis resin
A total of 200 grammes or more in weight of cannabis and cannabis resin
40 grammes or more in weight of cocaine
2,000 grammes or more in weight of coca leaves

Opioids

15 grammes or more in weight of heroin
15 grammes or more in weight of morphine
15 grammes or more in weight of monoacetylmorphines
15 grammes or more in weight of heroin, morphine and monoacetylmorphines or a total of 15 grammes or more in weight of any two of the said dangerous drugs

Amphetamines

50 grammes or more in weight of 2-Amino-1-(2, 5-dimethoxy-4-methyl) phenylpropane
50 grammes or more in weight of Amphetamine
50 grammes or more in weight of 2, 5-Dimethoxyamphetamine (DMA)
50 grammes or more in weight of Dimethoxybromoamphetamine (DOB)
50 grammes or more in weight of 2, 5-Dimethoxy4-ethylamphetamine (DOET)
50 grammes or more in weight of Methamphetamine
50 grammes or more in weight of 5-Methoxy-3, 4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MMDA)
50 grammes or more in weight of Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA)
50 grammes or more in weight of N-ethyl MDA
50 grammes or more in weight of N-hydroxy MDA
50 grammes or more in weight of N-methyl-1 (3, 4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butanamine
50 grammes or more in weight of 3, 4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
50 grammes or more in weight of Paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA)
50 grammes or more in weight of 3, 4, 5-Trimethoxyamphetamine (3, 4, 5-TMA) total of 50 grammes or more in weight of any combination of the dangerous drugs

Although it’s good to know, for general purposes, of course, but it’s the death penalty for the drug business, so don’t do drugs, kids.

Share your thoughts with us on TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.