Zahid: Drug rehab modules to include TVET
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Puspen needed to break away from conventional modules and equip clients with valuable skills to ease their reintegration into society.
"As the chairman of the National TVET Council, I would like to suggest that we transform all the educational modules at every Puspen into TVET to provide our clients with high-growth and high-value training," he said in his speech during an official visit to Puspen Dengkil.
"Previously, the Prisons Department also had the same modules — plantation, sewing — but that is conventional.
"Times have changed, which is why we need to change to TVET.
"I will help the National Anti-Drugs Agency (Nada) and Puspen," he said, adding that he would find the allocations to implement such modules.
TVET is also a route to break the cycle of poverty among addicts, he said.
Zahid said he would engage with SME Corp to help Puspen clients who wished to venture into entrepreneurship.
"Don't give Puspen the connotation that it's a punishment or treatment centre. It's actually a house of hope," he told Puspen clients.
Zahid also voiced his support for psychospiritual rehabilitation and urged spiritual leaders from different religions to be involved in Puspen's rehabilitation programmes.
Also present was Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, as the ministry facilitated the opening of a gym at Puspen Dengkil.
Zahid urged private companies or gym owners who wished to replace their equipment to consider donating it to the government.
"We will refurbish it and improve it according to the specifications," he said.
He also called on society to be kinder to former addicts, saying this was crucial to breaking the cycle of addiction and drug use.
"We need to conduct engagements with family members so that we can come up with a module that will open their hearts to accept them.
"Communities must break the wall of stigma.
"Neighbours or neighbourhood chairpersons, the village head, or members of suraus and mosques play a part in accepting our former clients, not hating them.
"Insya-Allah they will be better people," Zahid said.
As at July 2025, 57,266 clients had been admitted to Puspen centres nationwide, said Nada director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh.
Of this total, 51,442 were undergoing community-based rehabilitation, while 5,825 were under institutional rehabilitation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Zahid: Drug rehab modules to include TVET
SEPANG: The Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centres (Puspen) must revamp their education modules to include Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Puspen needed to break away from conventional modules and equip clients with valuable skills to ease their reintegration into society. "As the chairman of the National TVET Council, I would like to suggest that we transform all the educational modules at every Puspen into TVET to provide our clients with high-growth and high-value training," he said in his speech during an official visit to Puspen Dengkil. "Previously, the Prisons Department also had the same modules — plantation, sewing — but that is conventional. "Times have changed, which is why we need to change to TVET. "I will help the National Anti-Drugs Agency (Nada) and Puspen," he said, adding that he would find the allocations to implement such modules. TVET is also a route to break the cycle of poverty among addicts, he said. Zahid said he would engage with SME Corp to help Puspen clients who wished to venture into entrepreneurship. "Don't give Puspen the connotation that it's a punishment or treatment centre. It's actually a house of hope," he told Puspen clients. Zahid also voiced his support for psychospiritual rehabilitation and urged spiritual leaders from different religions to be involved in Puspen's rehabilitation programmes. Also present was Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, as the ministry facilitated the opening of a gym at Puspen Dengkil. Zahid urged private companies or gym owners who wished to replace their equipment to consider donating it to the government. "We will refurbish it and improve it according to the specifications," he said. He also called on society to be kinder to former addicts, saying this was crucial to breaking the cycle of addiction and drug use. "We need to conduct engagements with family members so that we can come up with a module that will open their hearts to accept them. "Communities must break the wall of stigma. "Neighbours or neighbourhood chairpersons, the village head, or members of suraus and mosques play a part in accepting our former clients, not hating them. "Insya-Allah they will be better people," Zahid said. As at July 2025, 57,266 clients had been admitted to Puspen centres nationwide, said Nada director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh. Of this total, 51,442 were undergoing community-based rehabilitation, while 5,825 were under institutional rehabilitation.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
New TVET Programme to Boost Career Prospects for PUSPEN Clients
DENGKIL: The Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centres (PUSPEN) will introduce a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) module to improve career opportunities for its clients. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasised the need for updated educational approaches to help clients reintegrate as productive community members. 'As Chairman of the National TVET Council, I will support the National Anti-Drugs Agency and all PUSPEN centres nationwide,' he said during a visit to PUSPEN Dengkil. He added that the new module would ensure clients secure professional employment after completing rehabilitation. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and AADK director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh were also present at the event. Ahmad Zahid stressed the importance of high-value training to prepare clients for quality jobs matching their chosen courses. For those interested in entrepreneurship, he pledged to collaborate with SME Corp Malaysia and KUSKOP to provide relevant courses. 'Insya Allah, I will also seek allocations to fund these courses,' he said. The government has spent over RM60 billion on drug rehabilitation, prevention, and treatment efforts. 'That's a huge sum — just imagine if it had been used for building schools, hospitals, or sports activities,' he remarked. Ahmad Zahid urged public support for PUSPEN clients in rebuilding family and community ties, viewing the centre as a rehabilitation facility rather than a punitive one. 'We cannot allow them to drift aimlessly. The MADANI government's vision ensures no one is left behind, including PUSPEN clients,' he said. Earlier, he witnessed the handover of the 'Transform GYM' from the Youth and Sports Ministry to the Home Ministry for use by PUSPEN Dengkil clients and staff. The initiative reflects inter-ministerial collaboration in drug rehabilitation and community well-being. – Bernama
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Malay Mail
Zahid calls for fresh approach to combat drug abuse amid worrying rise in synthetic drugs
PUTRAJAYA, Aug 10 — A new, non-conventional approach is needed to combat drug abuse in the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said that a change in strategy was crucial because the current trend of drug abuse is very worrying, with an increase in the use of synthetic drugs and new distribution methods through social media platforms. 'The government has spent over RM50 billion on prevention, enforcement, and treatment, but the effect is that drug abuse is still on the rise. We must admit this failure... let's set aside our differences to ensure that even if the country cannot be 100 percent free of drug abuse, it is not impossible for us to reduce it to the bare minimum,' he said. He made these remarks while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 46th general assembly of the Malaysian Anti-Drug Association (Pemadam) last night. Ahmad Zahid also expressed concern that a report by the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) found that 68 percent of all drug abusers are young people aged between 19 and 39, including professionals. 'In the long run, this will reduce productivity, not to mention the country's assets... this young workforce is needed to contribute to all sectors in this country,' he said. He recommended that relevant enforcement agencies and Pemadam adopt an approach of increasing two-way communication with the target group to reduce this phenomenon. 'It's not just about giving lectures but becoming listeners who understand. Not just educating, but also immersing ourselves in the emotions of young people. We can't just rely on old approaches through lectures and distributing brochures. We must use a communication approach through digital technology,' he said. Ahmad Zahid also suggested that Pemadam create a digital communication team in every state, and empower training and advocacy modules for volunteers. In addition, he put forward the idea that an integrated information portal and a smart application should be developed, along with strengthening strategic cooperation with influencers and social media communities. — Bernama
