The Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) was established to enforce laws relating to drugs and to combat drug trafficking and abuse.

INTRODUCTION

The history of drug entry into Malaysia dates back to the early 19th century, during the British colonial era in Malaya. The British brought in Chinese and South Indian immigrants to work as labourers in the plantation and mining sectors.

Chinese labourers working in pepper plantations, rubber plantations and tin mines brought with them the habit of opium smoking to Malaya. Opium was used to help alleviate pain and occupy their leisure time. South Indian labourers, meanwhile, worked mainly on rubber plantations. They were responsible for bringing cannabis into Malaya. Cannabis was also used to help them endure heavy labour and occupy their leisure time.

By the end of the 19th century, opium and cannabis addiction had begun to become a problem. In 1910, the colonial government began regulating the importation and sale of opium by establishing government opium shops. The use and sale of opium were permitted only to registered addicts and through registered shops, and were subject to taxation.

In 1925, the Geneva Opium Convention stipulated that opium sellers could only sell opium to registered opium smokers. In 1934, the United Nations Commission of Inquiry determined that the sale of opium could only be permitted to certified medical practitioners. In 1945, following the Second World War, the sale and consumption of opium were prohibited.

By the 1950s, the problem of drug abuse had become increasingly widespread. The regulations requiring the registration of drug dealers and addicts were ineffective in controlling the drug problem. Consequently, in 1952, the British Government enacted the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance 1952 to address drug abuse, and the Ordinance has remained in force to this day, subject to successive amendments.

Beginning in the 1960s, morphine and heroin began to enter the domestic market and meet growing demand. Morphine was derived from opium for medical purposes but was subsequently abused. Heroin, which was also opium-based, was later developed with the intention of eliminating morphine addiction.

The growing popularity of hippie culture contributed to the spread of morphine and heroin abuse, particularly in Penang. These drugs were also brought into the country by United States Marines who travelled to the region during the Vietnam War.

HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF JSJN

The problem of cannabis and heroin abuse in the country became increasingly alarming. In 1971, the Ministry of Education played an active role in drug abuse prevention education by establishing Guidance and Counselling Units and incorporating lectures on drug abuse by renowned psychiatrists as an important component of in-service courses for secondary school staff.

In 1972, the Government established the Narcotics Bureau Centre under the Ministry of Justice to undertake enforcement, legislative, prevention and research activities relating to the drug problem. The Bureau comprised 52 officers from the RMP, Customs, Welfare Department and Administrative and Diplomatic Service. The Bureau began operations in January 1973 and was established in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Alor Setar, Johor and Kota Bharu.

In 1975, the Ministry of Education issued a circular for the purpose of monitoring and providing drug abuse prevention education to ministry personnel, particularly school staff. Drug treatment and rehabilitation services were introduced in 1975, with responsibility placed under the Ministry of Social Welfare as drug addiction was regarded as a social problem. In the same year, the Government approved the establishment of Branch D8 under the RMP Criminal Investigation Department, comprising 50 officers and personnel, to address drug abuse through the enforcement of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

On 30 July 1979, the Narcotics Bureau Centre was dissolved. Subsequently, on 1 January 1980, the Public Services Department approved Establishment Warrant 141/80 for the expansion of Branch D8, which was given a new name, the Anti-Drug Branch. A total of 1,778 posts for officers, personnel and civilian staff were approved.

In 1983, matters relating to drug addiction were placed under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA). On 19 February 1983, the Prime Minister of Malaysia declared and launched the National Anti-Drug Campaign and, at the same time, declared drugs as the country's “number one enemy”. With drug-related matters placed under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the RMP was given full responsibility for addressing the country's drug problem. At the same time, the Government established the Anti-Drug Task Force under the Prime Minister's Department.

Also in 1983, the Government approved the Dangerous Drugs (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 (Act 283) to address the growing problem of drug addiction. This was followed by the establishment of Pusat Serenti as treatment centres for drug addicts, with the Ministry of Home Affairs entrusted with overseeing these centres under the command of a Commandant appointed from among Ministry of Home Affairs and police officers.

In 1985, the Government approved the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985 (Act 316). The Act provides for the preventive detention of persons associated with any activities relating to or involving the trafficking of dangerous drugs. The Act came into force on 15 June 1985, replacing the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969.

In addition to the above-mentioned Acts, the RMP is also responsible for enforcing the Poisons Act 1952. Subsequently, in 1988, another Act known as the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988 (Act 340) was enacted.

There were no further major developments relating to the drug abuse problem until the situation became increasingly critical, as drugs had become a lucrative business and drug addiction had become more serious. On 2 January 1996, the Anti-Drug Branch, which was placed under the Criminal Investigation Department, was reorganised under the New Organisational Structure Module (MSOB) and renamed the RMP Narcotics Department. The Department was headed by a Director with the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), followed by the establishment of State Narcotics Department Chiefs and District Narcotics Division Chiefs.

The first Director of the Narcotics Department was DCP G/5444 Dato Salleh Bin Mat Som, who served from 15 January 1996 to 1 December 1997. He was subsequently succeeded by DCP G/5704 Dato Maizan Bin Shaari, who served from 16 February 1997 to 5 October 1998. From 1 April 1999 to 1 October 1999, DCP Dato Salleh Bin Mat Som once again led the Narcotics Department. From 1 October 1999 to 13 July 2002, the Narcotics Department was led by DCP G/5708 Dato Mohd Sedek Bin Mohd Ali. The leadership changed hands again on 13 July 2002, when DCP G/5706 Dato Mamat Bin Talib was appointed as the fifth Director of the Narcotics Department, serving until 16 January 2004.

On 16 January 2004, the Narcotics Department came under new leadership when an officer who had served the Department for many years was appointed as its new Director, YDH DCP G/5262 Dato Mohd Najib Bin Abdul Aziz. Under his leadership, the Narcotics Department was rebranded as the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN), taking into account contemporary challenges and based on the fact that all offences under drug laws constitute registered offences. This rebranding was recorded on 25 May 2005.

On 26 May 2006, the Public Services Department approved Establishment Warrant K 47 of 2006, effective 1 May 2006, under which the post of JSJN Director was upgraded from Deputy Commissioner of Police to Commissioner of Police. YDH CP Dato Mohd Najib Bin Abdul Aziz continued to lead the JSJN.

1. Eliminate drug supply;
2. Eliminate drug demand; and
3. Combat elements contributing to drug abuse.”

In carrying out its mission, JSJN has given priority to several key functions, including:

1. Enforcing national laws relating to drugs;
2. Conducting intelligence activities, collecting, analysing and disseminating drug-related information;
3. Combating the smuggling of drugs and precursors; and
4. Implementing programmes to combat drug abuse in cooperation with domestic and international drug enforcement agencies.

STRATEGY

“JSJN’s strategy is to eliminate drug demand and supply through law enforcement and intelligence activities. This includes the exchange of information and cooperation with drug enforcement agencies of other countries through international relations.

The primary action in addressing drug smuggling activities is to strengthen and enhance enforcement measures to prevent the entry of drugs into the country through land, sea and air routes. In addition, aggressive enforcement efforts continue within the country to combat drug trafficking and sales, as well as the diversion of precursors and the operation of illicit drug-processing laboratories.”