Latest news with #anti-drugs
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Saifuddin Nasution: Drug use down more than 10pc nationwide, Kelantan sees biggest drop after ‘jalan tikus' crackdown
PUTRAJAYA, May 13 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today said that the number of drug users nationwide has dropped by approximately 10.5 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared to the previous period. Speaking at a press conference after his ministry's monthly assembly here, he said the drop in the first quarter was largely driven by a decline in cases reported in Kelantan. 'This is closely linked to the fact that we have shut down illegal entry points, the 'jalan tikus', which were a major channel for drug entry. So it's highly correlated,' he said, referring to the uncharted border tracks. 'As you know, we launched an enforcement campaign and intensified awareness programmes because the data shows that four states near the border are the most affected,' he added, describing Kelantan, Pahang, Kedah and Perlis. Saifuddin said the National Anti-Drugs Agency has since stepped up awareness and education programmes involving all stakeholders while strengthened border control to tackle the issue. The 10.5 per cent decrease reflects a drop from 121,170 cases reported in the first quarter of last year to 108,409 drug users and abusers in the same period this year. Saifuddin said his target is to further reduce the number to 60,000. In his speech directed at Home Ministry's officers, he explained that following the crackdown on all 'jalan tikus' along the Sungai Golok stretch, several immediate effects were observed. 'I was in Kelantan last week, was there any impact? The answer is yes. The first effect is that the number of people crossing through unofficial entry points has dropped significantly. Another impact is that the entertainment industry on the southern side [of Thailand] has declined by about 85 per cent. 'When we shut the route through Sungai Golok, they started entering through Kedah instead. But our narcotics division was on alert, which is why we've ramped up operations significantly,' he said. Saifuddin said AADK is currently collaborating with the National Geospatial Centre and the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation to develop an integrated, spatial-based reporting and analysis application for AADK services under the Malaysia Drug Profiling System. 'The raw data we've analysed helps us make projections, what we call a predictive model. We can forecast and predict which areas on the map are likely to see a rise in cases, and we also need to assess the type of treatment or intervention we've applied in those areas. 'For example, the data we've analysed identifies five districts with the highest number of drug abuse cases. These include Pendang, Kuala Krai, followed by Pasir Puteh and then Tanah Merah. These districts top the list in terms of cases per hundred thousand population,' he said. Saifuddin also shared ministry statistics from two weeks ago, showing that offences under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 serve as an enabler for 28 other crimes, including robbery, armed robbery, and corruption, among others. 'So you analyse the data and develop a predictive model. And through that model, even if something hasn't happened yet, we can predict that it might happen in the future. That way, we can come up with a mitigation plan in advance,' he added.
Free Malaysia Today
19-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Drug users, traffickers often linked to other crimes, says Saifuddin
Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the recovery rate for addicts registered with the National Anti-Drugs Agency has reached a commendable 80% over a two-year period. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A study by the home ministry's data science centre has found that individuals involved in drug abuse and trafficking are more likely to be linked to other crimes, says home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He said individuals charged under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for drug use are often associated with 28 other types of criminal offences, including extortion and corruption, Bernama reported. Those charged under Section 12(2) for drug possession are typically linked to 11 other criminal offences. 'This data clearly indicates that to address a wide range of crimes, we must first tackle the drug problem,' he said during a tea session held in conjunction with the 2025 Anti-Drugs Day commemoration in Putrajaya today. Saifuddin said the war against drugs required the involvement of all stakeholders, including the community. 'This must become a national movement involving all stakeholders — community leaders, civil society, schoolchildren, youth leaders and others. We need a shift from conventional approaches.' Saifuddin said the National Anti-Drugs Agency had recorded 108,409 addicts in the first quarter of this year, a 10.5% decrease from 121,170 cases during the same period last year. 'The current recovery rate has reached 80% over a two-year period, which is a commendable achievement,' he added.
Malay Mail
19-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Negeri Sembilan AADK director faces disciplinary referral over nightclub raid, says EAIC
SEREMBAN, May 19 — The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has decided to refer its recommendation for disciplinary action against the Negeri Sembilan director of the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) to the agency's Disciplinary Authority. In a statement today, EAIC said the decision followed a complaint alleging that the director had instructed a raid on a nightclub during the day, even though the reported criminal activity was said to have occurred at night. The raid was also allegedly conducted without the required approval from the director of Enforcement and Security at AADK Headquarters. 'Investigations found that the state director failed to issue clear instructions to AADK officers and acted in defiance of protocol by not obtaining the necessary special approval, as stipulated under the Enforcement Operations Guidelines for Entertainment Outlet Operations,' the statement read. — Bernama
Malay Mail
16-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Drugs the gateway to crime: Saifuddin says substance abuse driving extortion, corruption and overwhelming prisons
PUTRAJAYA, May 16 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail revealed that drug-related crimes are among the main contributors to other crimes, calling it a gateway to more severe criminal activities. He said that, based on the latest data collected by the ministry's data science team, more than 28 other types of crimes in the country stem from individuals who abuse drugs. Saifuddin added that an analysis of more than 400,000 data entries showed that individuals charged under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act tend to engage in various other offences such as extortion and corruption, making drugs a 'highway' to other crimes. 'If we consider crime in Malaysia as a network of highways, the Dangerous Drugs Act is the main junction. Section 15(1) alone can lead to 28 other types of crimes, while Section 12(2) leads to 11 types,' he said during at a hi- tea reception in conjunction with the 2025 Anti-Drugs Day Commemoration at Putrajaya. He said that, moving forward, the fight against drug abuse must be viewed as a mass movement involving all parties in order to eradicate it from the country. According to Saifuddin, the only time a significant drop in drug cases was recorded was during the Movement Control Order (MCO), indicating that restricted movement contributed to a decline in drug activity. However, statistics from the first quarter of 2025 still show worrying figures with 108,000 drug user cases recorded, 60 per cent of whom are new users. He also reported a 34.4 per cent increase in synthetic drugs of the ATS type (ATS is for amphetamines and methamphetamines), and a 60 per cent increase in cannabis last year, posing significant challenges for enforcement and prevention. Saifuddin also stated that 51,000 individuals are currently in community rehabilitation under the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), while another 5,443 are in government and privately run rehabilitation centres. 'The recovery rate has reached 80 per cent within two years, which is an encouraging figure,' he said. In addition, the minister added that there's a need to amend the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 to give rehabilitation officers clearer authority to assess and place clients without having to wait for medical reports, which can take time. 'In fact, major prisons are now operating over capacity for example, Machang Prison houses 3,184 inmates, 85 per cent of whom are there for drug offence while Pengkalan Chepa Prison has more than 60 per cent of its current population convicted for drug-related offences,' he said. Saifuddin said that the fight against drugs is not solely the responsibility of the Home Ministry or AADK, but must be carried by everyone including government agencies, the private sector, communities, and external experts. 'The era of the government knowing everything is over. We must embrace external expertise. This engagement is a good first step but more follow-up and collaboration are needed,' he added. Three days ago, Saifuddin said drug abuse had reduced by 10.5 per cent in the East Coast states following intervention efforts. On Malaysia's border safety, Saifuddin said 212 illegal bases were identified along the Kelantan border from Rantau Panjang to Jeli, and that access cuts and tighter control measures have been in place since last December. 'These actions have contributed to a drastic drop of up to 85 per cent in illegal entertainment activities across the border,' Saifuddin said.
Malay Mail
13-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Saifuddin: Drug use down more than 10pc nationwide, Kelantan sees biggest drop after ‘jalan tikus' crackdown
PUTRAJAYA, May 13 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution today said that the number of drug users nationwide has dropped by approximately 10.5 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared to the previous period. Speaking at a press conference after his ministry's monthly assembly here, he said the drop in the first quarter was largely driven by a decline in cases reported in Kelantan. 'This is closely linked to the fact that we have shut down illegal entry points, the 'jalan tikus', which were a major channel for drug entry. So it's highly correlated,' he said, referring to the uncharted border tracks. 'As you know, we launched an enforcement campaign and intensified awareness programmes because the data shows that four states near the border are the most affected,' he added, describing Kelantan, Pahang, Kedah and Perlis. Saifuddin said the National Anti-Drugs Agency has since stepped up awareness and education programmes involving all stakeholders while strengthened border control to tackle the issue. MORE TO COME
