Are thousands charged under Section 39C routinely or exceptionally?

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Thousands are charged under Section 39C routinely rather than exceptionally
Court data from the Malaysian Judiciary shows that thousands of individuals across Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia were charged under Section 39C between January 2024 and November 2025. The scale of charges over that period indicates that Section 39C is not being used as an exceptional measure. Instead, it is applied as a routine part of prosecution under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Court data shows repeated use across regions over 2024–2025
The figures cover charges in Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia, rather than being limited to a single state or locality. They record thousands of individuals charged under Section 39C during a defined 23-month window from January 2024 to November 2025. That breadth across regions and time supports the conclusion that the provision is repeatedly invoked.
The charging pattern is described as routine rather than an outlier
The available court figures are framed as confirming that Section 39C is not an exceptional measure. Instead, the data is presented as evidence that it is routinely applied. When thousands of cases occur within a relatively short span, it points to regular use rather than rare, unusual deployment.
Section 39C is tied to mandatory prison sentencing for repeat drug use
The provision allows courts to impose mandatory prison sentences of five to seven years on individuals repeatedly charged for drug use. This sentencing structure is part of why the law is repeatedly enforced against people facing repeat charges. The same timeframe of thousands of charges aligns with a system that processes repeat offending through the same legal pathway.
The provision’s operation is linked to repeat arrests and convictions
The described process focuses on repeat arrests and convictions, with limited attention to the circumstances shaping continued drug use. It is characterised as punishing relapse through escalating consequences tied to prior records. That pattern is consistent with routine application of Section 39C, rather than exceptional use in only a small number of cases.

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Are thousands charged under Section 39C routinely or exceptionally?

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