A 34-year-old French male and his house mate got caught with several ounces of cannabis flower in Malaysia two years ago. Now, Tom Felix is behind bars at the nation’s Perlis Correctional Centre and potentially faces the death penalty over subsequent drug charges.
On Monday, Felix went on trial at a national courthouse. The legal proceedings are expected to conclude on Thursday and he will receive his sentence shortly thereafter.
The large quantity that authorities busted him and his roommate with, described by sources as several hundred grams, was assumed by police to be intended for trafficking and carries hefty penalties with it. It was discovered in a common area of their home.
Felix could be put to death or receive “104 years of cumulative imprisonment, 54 strokes of the cane and a €27,000 fine,” his mother Sylvie told Agence France-Presse (AFP) this week. Malaysia is known for having some of the strictest drug laws in the world.
Prior to his arrest, the marine biology scholar and former Veolia Environnement SA (EPA: VIE) executive planned to open a restaurant on the country’s island of Langkawi. He claims to be innocent, implying that the marijuana came from the person he was living with at the time. In a 2024 article, one credible source said that individual had indeed confessed to being responsible.
A group of people have been voicing their concerns about his well-being on a Facebook group and advocating for his release.
“Tom is imprisoned under conditions no one should have to go through,” one of the most recent posts read. “We hope for an intervention from the French government.”
Felix’s legal representative, family and friends firmly believe he is being wrongfully prosecuted and are praying for his release.
“I absolutely believe your innocence and I think about you and your parents every day,” commented one social media user from La Rochelle, France last week.
Read more: Jones Soda calls it quits with Mary Jones, sells canna-beverage biz for US$3M
Parents speak with Emmanuel Macron in Singapore
Felix’s mother and father met with the French president during his recent trip to Asia to try and brainstorm solutions for the unfortunate situation. The couple, both teachers, currently reside in Singapore — a nation neighbouring Malaysia.
“He [the French leader] said this situation is indeed unacceptable and that he would do everything possible to ensure Tom’s release,” Felix’s mother told reporters after their talks on May 30.
They insist that their son’s roommate made it clear to Malaysian law enforcement that he was responsible for the illicit drugs, but Felix remains wrongfully locked up nonetheless.
Macron reportedly raised the issue with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in November. This interaction could be beneficial for Felix during the ongoing trial.
Additionally, his parents have started a fundraiser to help remedy the problem.
Thankfully for Tom, the death penalty has not been exercised in Malaysia since 2018. Laws enforcing mandatory execution for drug trafficking were later wholly abolished in 2023. It is unlikely that he will receive the extreme sentence and French authorities will hopefully be able to successfully intervene.
An innocent man should not be paying the price for the foolish decisions of his former business colleague and flatmate.
Despite the nation’s strict laws, Malaysia recently announced plans to decriminalize the possession of small quantities of drugs. The aim will be to address prison overcrowding, but these amendments are yet to come into effect.
Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has said that individuals caught with small amounts of illicit substances should be sent to rehab and complete community service instead of facing charges.
Malaysia has also taken an interest in medical cannabis in recent years. This intrigue has been largely influenced by Thailand’s framework and global trends.
🔴🗣️ "On craint pour la survie de notre fils" : le procès de Tom Félix, 34 ans, s’est ouvert ce lundi en Malaisie. Il est détenu depuis 2 ans, accusé de détention et trafic de stupéfiants.
Ses parents racontent son calvaire en détention. #JT20h pic.twitter.com/SzRFr7My7w
— Le20h-France Télévisions (@le20hfrancetele) June 16, 2025
Read more: Trafficking cannabis in Malaysia can get you 30 years jail and a bruised backside
Follow Rowan Dunne on LinkedIn
rowan@mugglehead.com
