KUCHING: The Home Ministry and National Social Council will soon draft a new strategy to counter drug smuggling in the country.
Deputy Home Minister Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said on Saturday that the proposed strategy would be a more comprehensive plan to tackle this social menace.
“As a developing nation, harsh punishment is not enough to educate and give a moral lesson to would-be offenders. There must be a new strategy to fight this social ill,” Wan Junaidi told reporters at Kampung Sejingkat after presenting Ramadan gifts to committees of suraus and mosques and also to the needy at Kampung Sejingkat.
Wan Junaidi said the trade and tourism sectors, which brought in huge number of visitors to the country, had revved up the challenge in fighting drug smuggling.
“We also work closely with the National Anti Drug Agency (AADK) to find solutions. We will also widen research, where the findings will be an important aspect in the new strategy.”
On a related matter, Wan Junaidi said with the nation sharing long borders with Thailand and Indonesia, cooperation with them was vital to curb smuggling activities.
“However, such (drug) activities are still low in Sarawak, and we believe there is no illegal drug manufacturing in the state, yet.”
Four hundred people from six villages from and around Santubong received aid at the ceremony, which was followed by the breaking of fast.