KUCHING: Drug abuse cases in Sarawak are still under control, thanks to the concerted efforts of all the relevant agencies in combating the issue.
Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said that Sarawak was among the states with low drug abuse cases.
“Although we sometimes hear about drug arrests and so on, compared to other states, our problem is quite under control,” he stated during a press conference after chairing the Anti-Drug Action Council (MTMD) meeting at Baitulmakmur Building 2, yesterday (July30).
Abdul Karim also emphasised the important role played by the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department in battling drug abuse.
He also mentioned that the Sarawak government is prepared to bear additional costs to increase the number of drug detection dogs (K9) for border control in the state.
“But as I mentioned earlier, if there is more demand for these dogs and they are use to guard Sarawak’s borders, then I believe the state government is willing to allocate more funds.
“The federal government has offered to add more dogs, with the state government covering the costs because we know the cost is quite burdensome for the departments involved,” he said.
He also said that the main challenge would be the financing of dog handlers.
