American Citizen Services

Arrests and Imprisonment

American citizens in Malaysia are subject to local law and courts. If you are arrested, you should ask the police to notify the American Embassy immediately at 03-2168-5000. Under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the Malaysian government is obliged to notify the U.S. Embassy expeditiously of the arrest or detention of an American citizen.

Consular staff can assist Americans imprisoned in Malaysia by providing them, their families or representatives with a list of local lawyers in different specialties, but we cannot recommend specific attorneys or firms. We visit American citizens imprisoned in Malaysia periodically to ensure they are not abused and that they have adequate access to food, medical care and their legal representatives. We also monitor significant criminal legal proceedings, but cannot represent American citizens in court proceedings or demand their release from prison.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The penalties for narcotics use and trafficking in Malaysia are very severe. Trafficking (defined here as possession of a relatively small quantity of illegal drugs) carries a mandatory death sentence.