Awang Tengah (third left) presents the challenge trophy to a Lawas PSKPP representative. He is flanked by Lawas District education officer Awang @Ibrahim Ahmad (right) and Limbang District education officer Mohammad Tangah Mohamad.
LAWAS: Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan is saddened and shocked by the alarmingly number of students here who tested positive for drug abuse.
Random urine tests by the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) in the first quarter of this year found 23 out of 99 students from four schools here were abusing drugs.
“This is a black episode and a real shame, which we must not be in denial. And for the sake of these future generations, we have to act,” Awang Tengah stressed when opening the Education Service Sports and Culture Association (PSKPP) Limbang Divisional Sports and Cultural Festival here yesterday.
He pointed out that drug addiction would ruin the future of students and shatter the hopes of their families and society.
Awang Tengah also called for action to be taken against teachers involved in drugs apart from stopping drug abuse among students. On education, he urged teachers to keep abreast with new knowledge and skills.
“Change is the only constant in this modern era, and teachers play a critical role in helping us realise a digital economy-compliant future generation of Sarawakians as envisioned by our Chief Minister (Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg),” he said.
Meanwhile, Awang Tengah also announced an allocation of RM50,000 for PSKPP Limbang’s activities.