Muscat – The State Council discussed several key draft laws referred by the Council of Ministers on Monday. The session was chaired by H E Abdulmalik bin Abdullah Al Khalili, Chairman of the State Council.

Among the most prominent items on the agenda was the draft law on combating narcotics and psychotropic substances, reviewed in accordance with Article 50 of the Council of Oman Law. The proposed amendments aim to strengthen legal deterrence and align legislation with the objectives of the national strategy to combat drug abuse and trafficking, while keeping pace with emerging challenges related to narcotics and psychotropic substances.

The Council also examined a draft amendment to certain provisions of the Penal Code, which supports Oman’s ongoing efforts to implement commitments under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. The amendments seek to enhance integrity measures, reinforce corporate governance within the private sector, and improve the sultanate’s standing in international corruption perception indicators while safeguarding economic interests.

In addition, members discussed a draft amendment to the Personal Data Protection Law, which introduces a clearer definition of automated data processing and expands the scope of the legislation. The provisions apply to the processing of personal data of natural persons in Oman, regardless of whether such processing occurs within or outside the country.

Under the proposed amendments, data controllers and processors would be required to delete personal data once the purpose of processing has been fulfilled. However, the law allows the retention of such data in cases where disputes arise between the controller and the data subject, or where retention is necessary to comply with legal obligations or judicial decisions.

The Council further reviewed the draft unified law governing international land transport among the GCC states as part of broader efforts to enhance regulatory coordination and facilitate cross-border transport across the GCC region.