KUALA LUMPUR: The framework for a new law related to drugs has been completed, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the new law to replace the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 would be known as the Drug and Substance Abuse (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act, once passed.
Saifuddin said the proposed law sought to prioritise treatment for drug addicts rather than punishment.
"The framework has been completed and it will be referred to the Attorney-General's Chambers.
"This proposed law will boost access to get treatment and rehabilitation, including a more comprehensive legal aspect, but the most important aspect is rehabilitation, as opposed to punishment," he said at the winding up of the debate on the motion of thanks for the royal address at the Dewan Rakyat.
He, however, did not mention when the proposed law would be tabled in Parliament.
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar) then interjected, saying that it would be a historic move should the law be passed.
On another issue, Saifuddin said the ministry aimed to solve at least 10,000 citizenship applications this year.
He said since helming the ministry in December, he had approved 67 per cent of 4,294 applications.
"Among the factors that caused the applications to be rejected are failing to register the marriage for the citizenship application of the child and failing to prove their being in the country.
"Also because the applicants have no locus standi to make the application, and due elements of the doubt caused by contradiction of facts."
He said from 2013 to Feb 21 this year, 132,272 applications for citizenship had been received.