PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man is against the government’s plans to decriminalise drug abuse and possession in small quantities.

In a statement today, Tuan Ibrahim said doing so could lead to habitual dependency and addiction.

"In Islam, things that can damage the brain should be prevented or rejected. Drug addiction can damage the brain and weaken the body. 

"Therefore, I am of the opinion that taking drugs should be illegal and continue to be treated as a crime.

"Opening up the opportunity to possession and drug use in small quantities will lead to addiction," he said.

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad previously announced that Putrajaya would make legislative amendments to introduce a new policy that would treat drug abuse as a medical problem.

He said this would reduce the need for punitive action, which has proven to be ineffective in tackling drug abuse.

"Certainly putting them (addicts) in prison is not going to change that. It is not just a matter of someone having weak willpower.

"An addict shall be treated as a patient (not as a criminal), whose addiction is a disease we would like to cure," the minister said.

Dzulkefly has stressed multiple times that Putrajaya still viewed drug abuse as a crime, and will focus on punishing those in the illegal drugs trade.