KUCHING: District police chiefs statewide have been assigned key performance indicators (KPI) to strengthen enforcement against drug use and trafficking under the leadership of Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohammad Zainal Abdullah.
Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the move reflects the police’s firm commitment to tackling substance abuse in Sarawak through targeted accountability at every level.
“Comm Mohammad Zainal has set KPIs for all district police chiefs to ensure continuous enforcement and arrests of those involved, whether in drug use or trafficking,” she said at a press conference during the courtesy call from Comm Mohammad Zainal at her ministry’s office here today.
She added that the results have been evident, with a clear increase in arrests across various districts since the initiative was introduced.
Fatimah commended the police’s proactive stance and said her ministry would continue to work closely with the force to address not only drug-related issues but also other social challenges such as domestic violence, child abuse, and teenage pregnancy.
“The cooperation between the ministry and PDRM has always been strong, and we believe it will continue to grow under Comm Mohammad Zainal’s leadership.”
Meanwhile, Comm Mohammad Zainal expressed appreciation for the Sarawak government’s continuous support, particularly in providing resources such as the Instant Visual Drug Detector (IVDD) kits and Hilux vehicles to assist enforcement efforts.
“These tools, which are unique to Sarawak, have greatly improved the speed and accuracy of initial drug screening before urine testing is conducted for court evidence.”
He also noted that drug abuse remains a major contributor to other crimes, including theft and domestic violence, adding that the ongoing crackdown has helped reduce such incidents.
“Drug-related crimes are the gateway to other offences. When we suppress drug activities, we can also lower overall crime rates.”
He added that enforcement efforts have also targeted repeat offenders and new users alike, with no compromise regardless of age or background even among students and youth.
Comm Mohammad Zainal also praised the Sarawak government for its unwavering commitment to supporting law enforcement agencies, noting that such cooperation has set the state apart from others in addressing drug-related issues effectively.
