KUCHING: Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) will work closely to combat drug abuse even if the situation is still at a safe level in Sarawak.
Deputy Home Affairs Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the authorities would not take the issue lightly, but more efforts should be engaged to not just reduce drug abuse cases but also tackle glue-sniffing, which has been described as “at a saddening trend”.
Wan Junaidi kicks the ball to symbolically close the sport carnival. Roslan is seen at third right.
“Malaysia is regarded as a transit country when it comes to drugs, which will then be distributed to other countries. Therefore, PDRM and AADK must work together to battle drug abuse.
“Sarawak is considered ‘safe’ in terms of drug abuse cases, but we cannot be complacent.
“However, more than 500 domestic items can be used for glue-sniffing whereby there are even desperate people resorting to cow-dung for kicks.
“Glue-sniffing can cause severe brain damage and pose deeper implications than using heroin and morphine. We all have to make sure our next generation will not indulge in it,” he told a news conference after closing a sport carnival organised by Ministry of Home Affairs at the Jubilee Ground here yesterday.
Wan Junaidi pointed out that half the inmates throughout the country were directly and indirectly involved in drug abuse, be it selling, transporting or using.
“We have conducted a study, which established that an average of 50 per cent of convicts in prisons in Malaysia committed a crime through drug.
“Some foreigners were convicted due to drug abuse as well.
“There were cases where the foreigners said they brought drugs into Malaysia for the use of their countrymen who are working in Malaysia. But this is not allowed in our country.”
On the sport carnival, Wan Junaidi said it was to help PDRM’s football squad unearth quality players to keep up its performance.
“Our PDRM football team has been performing well compared to other government agencies.
“Not only is this carnival providing a platform for officers to enhance closer rapport among themselves, but talent-scouting is also involved.”
Nine government agencies under Ministry of Home Affairs, as well as other ministries, took part in the carnival, which may be made into an annual event.
Among those present was Kuching police chief ACP Roslan Bek Ahmad.