Low argued that the current practice is an “unfair” penalty for drug mules who were caught and hanged while the vice 'kingpins' who are responsible, escape punishment. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — Putrajaya should take a leaf from Singapore and review Malaysia’s mandatory death sentence for drug-related offences, Minister Datuk Paul Low said today,

He argued that the current practice is an “unfair” penalty for drug mules who were caught and hanged while the vice “kingpins” who are responsible, escape punishment.

“The mandatory death sentence should be reviewed for drug offences,” he said during his speech at the Asian Regional Congress On Death Penalty here.

“Look at Singapore, there has been an effort to reform a new policy relating to drugs and the misuse of drug act,” he added.

The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department also said he was prepared to do what was necessary to change the law on drug penalties.

The forum today was organised by a French non-governmental organisation, Together against the Death Penalty and was also attended by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Hasmy Agam and Malaysian Bar president Steven Thiru.