Wale Favors “Death Penalty” for Meth Offenders

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 Leader of the Opposition, Matthew Wale, has expressed strong support for the death penalty for those found guilty of methamphetamine offences, saying the issue needs to be “dealt with by hitting it right in the forehead.”

Wale made the remarks during a hearing on the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Bill on Friday.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is proposing the first amendment to the 84-year-old Dangerous Drugs Act, aiming to address gaps related to health issues and the rising use of meth in the country.

Pauline McNeil, Permanent Secretary of Health, told the Bills and Legislation Committee that the amendment was triggered by increasing incidents involving meth, including cases linked to yachts, the Post Office, local sales, manufacturing, and distribution.

She emphasized the urgency to address these challenges.

Last year, an expatriate was arrested for possession of meth but was released due to gaps in the existing law. In November, the Minister of Health and Medical Services, Paul Bosawai, signed a new rule, now gazetted, making it illegal to possess, distribute, supply, manufacture, or produce meth in the country.

The proposed amendment also includes a significant increase in fines, from $100,000 to $15 million. McNeil justified the increase, citing the severe consequences of meth use on health services, rehabilitation, infrastructure, and recovery programs for affected individuals.

Commenting on the amendment, Wale said: “It’s a very difficult problem to tackle, but we can still tackle it here. But my gut feeling is not by soft touch, soft responses, is by hitting it right in the forehead, knocking it over.”

 He added that the government should advertise the consequences, warning travellers, into the country, to deter potential offenders.

News@SBM2026