SIBU: The Sarawak Government has proposed the construction of two new Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centres (PUSPEN) in Sibu and Miri to strengthen treatment and recovery capacity for drug addicts in the state.
The Deputy Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam, stated that currently, there is only one centre in Kuching that accommodates around 250 individuals.
It is insufficient to meet the needs of addicts from across Sarawak, including Limbang, Miri, Sibu, Bintulu, Kapit and Sri Aman.
“The state government has proposed the building of two more PUSPENs, one in Sibu for the central zone and another in Miri for the northern zone.
“Sites have already been identified and agreed upon. We hope the federal National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) will consider including this proposal in the upcoming budget,” he said after officiating the closing of the Training of Trainers (TOT) Programme for the Sarawak State Drug Rehabilitation Committee (JKPD) 2025 at Starlink Hotel here on Wednesday.
Razi explained that PUSPEN also provides vocational training, such as carpentry, electrical work, and air-conditioning maintenance, to help former addicts sustain themselves once they complete their programmes.
He added that the state government supports recovery efforts through the Low-Income Family Empowerment (LIFE) Programme, which provides grants to former addicts to help them rebuild their lives.
At the same time, Razi highlighted that the greatest challenge faced by AADK Sarawak is the shortage of manpower at the divisional level, with some areas staffed by only two or three officers.
He expressed hope that the federal government and the Public Service Department (JPA) will consider additional staff placements to reinforce the state’s drug rehabilitation efforts.
