The perils of drug trafficking: endangering the Malay and Muslim society / Nasreen Miza Hilmy Nasrijal and Ekmil Krisnawati Erlen Joni

Abuse usage of illicit drugs is harmful to human and any action to market the drugs is detrimental to society. Combating the trafficking and sale of illicit drugs require international co-operation as well as respective national policies on prohibition and enforcement. Usage and sale of illicit drugs is a threat to Muslim nations but more countries with majority Muslim population are involved in drug trafficking in contravention with the principles of Syariah to 'enjoin good and forbid the wrongdoings'. This paper analyzes empirical evidence on the involvement of Asian countries with majority Muslim population and in particular, the Malays and Muslims in Malaysia in drug trafficking activities throughout two decades. While the implementation of severe punishment is aimed to deter drug trafficking, significant reduction effect has yet to be achieved. Drug trafficking activities continue to be destructive to the Malay and Muslim society.