Look to 'ta'zir' for guidance in drug sentencing

The Dangerous Drug Act 1952 has been amended twice. In 1975, Section 39B was inserted, introducing the death penalty, life imprisonment and flogging as punishments. A further amendment in 1983 made death penalty mandatory for drug trafficking.

There is, however, an ongoing global debate on whether drug-related offences should carry capital punishment. To date, the worldwide trend is towards abolishing the death penalty for such offences. The international drug control and enforcement treaties, as well as international drug control agencies have not supported capital punishment to deter drug trafficking, even in countries where drug-related crimes are rampant. It is argued that the death penalty is disproportionate to the gravity of the offences.