KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) — A hair salon owner and two friends were sentenced to hang by the High Court here today after being found guilty of trafficking 38.723kgs of cannabis, 10 years ago.
Judge Datuk Muhamad Ideres Muhamad Rapee handed down the sentence after finding the prosecution had proven its case beyond all reasonable doubt.
Muhamad Ideres said the three accused, Sia Sew Ben (the salon owner), 47, Ng Thiam Kok, 43, and Ispangat Misrum, 43, were guilty of the offence.
On hearing the judgment, family members of the accused were seen to be break out in tears and proceeded to leave the court.
Some prohibitionists here in America salivate at the idea of using the death penalty to combat marijuana trafficking. Just what are the effects of the government killing people who bring non-toxic cannabis to the people who want it?
- Malaysian population = ~25,000,000
- Number of cannabis users “detected” = 5,725, or 0.02% of population
- American population = ~300,000,000
- Number of cannabis users “detected” = 872,721, or 0.3% of population
So, we have 12 times the population, but we have over 150 times the number of pot smokers “detected”. At first, it looks like draconian punishment works! Ah, but what are the unintended consequences?
- Malaysian heroin users “detected” = 13,852, or 60% of all drug users in the country.
- American heroin users “detected” = 541,308, or 29% of all drug users in the country.
Malaysia has twice the rate of heroin usage among its drug users than America. More than twice as many people use heroin as smoke pot. When you drive people away from marijuana, you drive them to harder drugs, like heroin and alcohol:
Malaysia, though a small country, is the tenth largest consumer of alcohol in the world. Each year Malaysians spend over US$500million on alcohol. Whilst the per capita consumption is 7 litres, those who do drink alcohol consume heavily. Among the drinking population, the Malaysian Indians who make up about 8 per cent of the population are by far the heaviest drinkers with an annual consumption of absolute alcohol exceeding 14 litres. Beer consumption in Malaysia at 11 litres per capita is comparable to that of European countries known for their high consumption. The easy availability of alcoholic drinks in coffee shops, supermarkets, sundry shops and plantations together with aggressive advertising and promotions are driving Malaysians to drink. The average age for alcohol dependence is 22 years.
All these Malaysian figures are much more damning when you realize that Malaysia’s official state religion is Islam and the religion strictly forbids drug and alcohol use.
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Well researched Russ. You might want to hang onto your notes, for future debates with Pigots.