BINTULU: Community leaders and village chiefs (KMKK) are urged to play a more proactive role in effectively conveying anti-drug messages within their communities.
According to Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (PEMADAM) Bintulu District Chairman, Awang Mohammed Nizam Awang Ali Bohan, success in combating drug abuse cannot rely solely on enforcement agencies.
“It requires the cooperation of all levels of society, including grassroots leaders who serve as trusted conveyors of information.
“KMKK are individuals closest to the community. They need to be creatively and culturally relevant in delivering anti-drug messages to reach all groups,” he said when officiating the 2025 PEMADAM Bintulu District Annual General Meeting at Wisma Residen Bintulu yesterday.
Awang Mohammed Nizam, who is also Bintulu District Officer, stressed the importance of focusing on rural and remote settlements that are often left out of drug awareness outreach.
“We cannot ignore rural areas. Although far from urban centres, they are not exempt from this threat.
“PEMADAM will expand its campaigns to longhouses and interior communities to ensure this message reaches every level,” he added.
Recent statistics presented by Inspector Stanford Peter from the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division, Bintulu District Police Headquarters, show a significant drop in drug-related arrests from January to April this year compared to the previous year.
However, Awang Mohammed Nizam reminded attendees that the decline should not lead to complacency.
“Instead, it should serve as motivation to intensify awareness and prevention efforts, especially among the younger generation,” he said.
Meanwhile, PEMADAM Bintulu District is scheduled to conduct a series of community education and advocacy programmes throughout the year to strengthen the role of society in combating the drug menace holistically.
