Key facts
- 1,588 Malaysians detained overseas for drug offenses as of September.
- Indonesia (381) and China (380) had the highest numbers of Malaysians detained for drug crimes.
- Total Malaysians detained abroad reached 3,322 as of September.
- Drug syndicates are using increasingly sophisticated methods to smuggle drugs.
As of September this year, 1,588 Malaysians were detained abroad for drug-related offenses, a figure that represents nearly half of the total 3,322 Malaysians held in foreign countries. Deputy Foreign Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni informed the Dewan Rakyat that Indonesia and China had the highest numbers of detentions, with 381 and 380 cases respectively. Singapore, Thailand, and Japan also reported significant numbers of Malaysian nationals arrested for drug crimes. The minister noted an increase in these detentions over the past few years, attributing it to increasingly sophisticated drug-smuggling methods and acknowledging potential weaknesses in Malaysia's border security.