The 11th Forum on Crime and Policing in Malaysia with the Theme: “Contemporary Issues and Challenges on Drug Use in Malaysia” was successfully carried out on Thursday, 11th September 2025 at M Social Resort, Tanjung Bungah. This Forum was organized by Centre for Policy Research (CPR) Universiti Sains Malaysia in collaboration with Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) Penang, Drug Policy Program Malaysia (DPPM) and Penang State Government. Master of Ceremony Mr. James Mohan touched on the Purpose and Objectives of this year’s Forum. The Welcome Remarks by MCPF Penang Chairman YBhg. Dato’ Seri Ong Poh Eng was presented by YBrs. Dr. Azrina Husin, Assoc. Prof. (Sociology), School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. In his Official Address Organizing Chairman YBhg. Dato’ Dr. P. Sundramoorthy, Honorary Assoc. Prof. CPR, USM thanked DPPM as the Main Sponsor and other Sponsors; the 120 strong participants; the Organizing Committee and all who helped make this Forum a success. He provided a succinct background on the lack of a Policy on Crime and Punishment in Malaysia and cited the existence of such in advanced countries. He also lamented on the lack of follow through post publication on ‘Findings’ of previous Commissions on various issues. He emphasized on the failure to decriminalize Drug Taking impacting overcrowded prisons with a clarification that UNCAT (UN Convention Against Torture) had cited such as being inhumane. Whilst emphasizing that Prisons are ‘Breeding Grounds’ for perpetuating more Crimes. He emphasized that drug abuse goes beyond being a crime issue It is also a health, social, family, community and nationwide issue requiring a more holistic approach. Punishment alone is inadequate. Rehabilitation and reintegration are equally important. The roles of addressing drug abuse straddles the police, government, parents, teachers, community leaders, friends and colleagues. He urged active participation and that learnings be applied at work, communities and formulation of policies.

Keynote Speaker (I) YBrs. Dr. Vicknasingam B. Kasinather, Professor of Addiction, Centre for Drug Research,USM; Expert Committee for Drug Dependence, World Health Organization (WHO); Scientific Advisory Committee United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) delivered his paper “Rethinking Malaysian Drug Policy: The Way Forward stressed the need for Malaysia to pivot from a criminal based strategy to a Public Health approach in addressing drug use urging deeper reforms, including amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, not just the Treatment and Rehabilitation Act. He red-flagged critical statistics of people sent for treatment versus those sent to prisons. He explained that drug use is both a brain disease and a behavioral problem outlining the difficulties of modifying behavioral in artificial, enclosure confines.

Keynote Speaker (II) YBrs. Dr. Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk, Assoc. Prof. (Policies), Director, Centre for Policy Research (CPR) USM elaborated on “The Global Drug Policy Dilemma” encompassing three approaches of Legalization, Criminalization and Depenalization where he iterated that Drug Users are not ‘Enemies of the State’; not just a Technical but also a Moral challenge requiring greater effectiveness of compassion. The Keynote Speakers were followed up with a highly interactive Dialogue Session with Participants on Drug Related Issues facilitated by Dr. Anbarrasu ND, Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim, Sungai Petani, Kedah. The audience understood better the effective results of Malaysia’s ‘Free Needle Exchange Program’ in combatting HIV and the use of Methadone in treating drug addicts. Dr. Vicknasingam supported the use of the ‘Full Arm of the Law’ on Drug Suppliers. The seeking of help from parents was also much too late. As such, a supportive environment is crucial for rehabilitation to overcome the fear of being arrested and/or being stigmatized (by society). Treatment can be through AADK or private medical practitioner.
Post Lunch, the Panel Session in Contemporary Issues and Challenges on Drug Use in Malaysia raised pertinent information and ideas. This Session ably moderated by YBrs. Dr. Azrina Husin had 4 distinguished Panel Speakers: 1. YBrs. Tuan Palani Nayaranan, Drug Policy Program Malaysia; 2. YBrs. Dr. Rohana Ariffin, Co-Founder, Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) Penang; 3. YBhg. Dato’ Seri (Dr.) Hj. Abdul Rafique Karim, Immediate Past President Majlis Dato’-Dato’ Negeri Pulau Pinang; and, 4. Dr. Nurhaliza binti Zakariah, Public Health Medicine Specialist, Head of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Substance Control Sector, Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia. Each Panel Speaker introduced their background experience, areas of expertise and overview of their individual perspectives on the overarching topic inclusive of historical milestones – aspects – pertinent data / trends. This engaging Panel Speakers session interestingly surfaced the awareness of the need to involve / realize the symbiotic efforts of Prison authorities, the Police, Ministry of Health, DPPM, AADK, MCMC and Religious bodies. Spearheading ‘Pilot Programs’; a clarion call to understand better that banning of Vaping would have negative repercussions of encouraging black markets; effective social media use; and the role of Press / Media was raised. In his “Closing Ceremony Address”, YB Dato’ Seri Sundarajoo a/l Somu, EXCO Member, Housing and Environment, Penang State Government shared his recent Opening Speech to former Drug Addicts at the Hindu Maharaja Sangam (24/08/25); life’s lessons on making mistakes and how to recover from mistakes; and, even more poignantly his own upbringing and avoidance of falling into the trap of drug addiction due to strong family fortitude. He also guided the audience that “Change must come from within oneself and to appreciate that Change is a Personal Choice!” He stated that Drug Addiction is a Public Health, Social and Moral issue and that ‘Prevention is Better than Cure!’ He appreciated this Forum’s new movement emphasizing that Policies are about Life (not just the Law). His parting message was that the audience was just not informed but more importantly inspired!

MCPF Penang participants were: 1. Johnny Michael Tan, SLC Secretary who also supported as the Forum Rapporteur; 2. Harikumar Katherasen, SLC Treasurer; 3. Dato’ Felix Chuah Gim Chuan, Timur Laut DLC Chairman; 4. James Mohan, Barat Daya DLC Chairman who kept the Program lively and per schedule as the Master of Ceremony; 5. Paramaguru Balan Moghan, SPS DLC Chairman; 6. Ridzuan Md Zain, SPT DLC Chairman; 7. Munusamy Muniandy, SPU DLC Chairman; 8. Rahumathullah Ibrahim, SLC Member; 9. Victor Lim Kok Hooi, SLC Member; 10. Peter Paul Arokiyasamy, Timur Laut DLC Secretary; 11. Adriel Albert Jefryzal bin Abdullah, Timur Laut DLC Member; 12. Gideon Lau Sing Kwang, Barat Daya DLC Member; 13. Cheong Yu Hoo, SPS DLC Member; 14. Komagan Lingam, SPS DLC Member; 15. Nirmala a/p Kuppusamy, SPT DLC Member; 16. Hj. Adnan bin Abdullah, SPT DLC Member; 17. Razalan Md Zain, SPT DLC Member; 18. Muhammad Farouk bin Abdullah, SPT DLC Member; 19. Haribalan Gopal, SPU DLC Secretary; 20. Madzuki bin Md Nor, SPU DLC Treasurer 21. Hj. Habeeb Raman bin Kamarul Zaman, SPU DLC Member; 22. Liew Zhi Sern, SPU DLC Member; and 23. Tony Tan Kai Loon, MCPF Member. Syabas, Tahniah and Kudos to the Organizers, Speakers, Moderators, Forum Secretariat, Stakeholders and Participants.