Tag: abuse

Over 140,000 Synthetic Drug Abuse Cases Recorded Last Year – Saifuddin Nasution

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 -- Synthetic drug abuse in the country continues to present a worrying situation, with 141,817 cases recorded last year, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said. He said 145,526 cases were recorded in 2023, followed by 192,852 cases in 2024. “Synthetic drugs are the most widely abused substances in the country, accounting for about 70 per cent of all drug abuse cases, particularly involving Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS),” he said during Ministers’ Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to a question from Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) on the number of synthetic drug addiction cases from 2023 to date and the government’s strategy to address the rise in the use of such drugs, including fentanyl. Saifuddin Nasution said data obtained from the Ministry of Health (MOH), the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), Narcotic Addiction Rehabilitation Centres (Puspen) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) showed that cases were concentrated in several states, with the east coast identified as among the worst affected. “Based on the data, we mapped the cases and found the situation to be most severe in the east coast states. This means that in the east coast corridor, the issue is no longer cannabis, heroin, ketum or morphine. “Instead, users are gravitating towards ATS, particularly syabu (methamphetamine). More recently, when police conducted operations against adulterated vapes, we discovered another substance, fentanyl. This is far more dangerous, being dozens of times more potent than morphine and capable of causing death,” he said. Saifuddin Nasution said fentanyl is a new drug that has been added to the list of scheduled substances through amendments to the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act and the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, enabling enforcement action to be taken against its abuse. However, he said the spread of fentanyl in the country has yet to reach a serious level compared with other synthetic drugs, although its presence has begun to be detected. He added that about 192,000 cases of drug abuse involving all types of drugs have been recorded so far since January this year, equivalent to 560 cases for every 100,000 Malaysians, with nearly 75 per cent involving those aged between 15 and 39. “However, at the district level, Pendang recorded the highest rate, followed by Kuala Krai, while Bachok, Besut and Mersing also ranked among the areas most affected. “These figures are also reflected in our prisons. Out of every 100 inmates, about 70 are linked to drug-related cases, whether convicted or on remand. In some prisons, such as Machang, nearly 100 per cent of cases are drug-related,” he said. He said the AADK has adopted various approaches, including community-based prevention, education programmes in educational institutions, and family and workplace intervention programmes, in addition to working with the PDRM and the Customs Department on enforcement. Replying to a supplementary question from Khoo on whether Malaysia has become a transit hub or distribution centre for drugs, Saifuddin Nasution said advances in technology have made it easier to purchase drugs online. “These platforms do not regulate the goods being sold and purchased. This has become another challenge and risk in terms of enforcement,” he said. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — Synthetic drug abuse in the country continues to present a worrying situation, with 141,817 cases recorded last year, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said. He said 145,526 cases were recorded in 2023, followed by 192,852 cases in 2024. “Synthetic drugs are the most widely abused substances in the […]

Advocacy Programmes Encourage Children To Report Abuse – Welfare Dept

KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 -- Growing awareness among children to report cases of abuse, bullying and neglect through the Talian Kasih 15999 hotline has contributed to the increase in reports received by the Selangor Social Welfare Department (JKM). Selangor JKM principal assistant director (Children Division) Roziah Osman said the rise in reports reflects the effectiveness of advocacy programmes in educating children about their rights and the channels available to seek help. “These cases are increasingly being reported as we carry out advocacy programmes that cover not only bullying but also cases involving children in need of protection. “If we look at it, the increase has occurred because children themselves are now aware and capable of making reports through Talian Kasih,” she told reporters after the launch of the ‘Safe Child, Strong Nation’ campaign organised by the Children Protection Society Malaysia (CPSM) at Seri Negara here today. She said the department receives an average of between 40 and 50 reports a month through Talian Kasih involving various child-related issues, including abuse, neglect and custody matters. In this regard, Roziah said Selangor JKM is targeting more than 500 tahfiz centres and religious boarding schools in the state through its Child Protection Advocacy programme, which will be expanded beginning July 27. She said the programme focuses on raising children’s awareness of their rights and the channels available to seek help if they face any form of abuse or mistreatment. According to her, the focus on students in religious schools and tahfiz centres is not new, as the programme was piloted last year with the involvement of several religious schools in the state. “This year, we are targeting religious schools and tahfiz centres because previous advocacy programmes were mainly focused on schools under the Education Ministry and children in the community,” she said. She said the expansion of the advocacy programme to religious schools and tahfiz centres is expected to further raise awareness of children’s rights and encourage them to come forward for help if they become victims of, or are aware of, any form of abuse. Meanwhile, CPSM founder and president Datuk Seri Nazir Ariff Mushir Ariff said more victims and families are now willing to come forward to lodge reports as they are aware that support is available from the government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and various related agencies. He also proposed that every school appoint a dedicated teacher responsible for children’s welfare and safety to enable early detection of signs of abuse or other problems faced by students. -- BERNAMA 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — Growing awareness among children to report cases of abuse, bullying and neglect through the Talian Kasih 15999 hotline has contributed to the increase in reports received by the Selangor Social Welfare Department (JKM). Selangor JKM principal assistant director (Children Division) Roziah Osman said the rise in reports reflects the effectiveness […]

Father Charged With Murder of Two-month-old Daughter In Labuan

LABUAN, May 25 -- A 37-year-old man was charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with the murder of his two-month-old daughter at a house in Kampung Bukit Kuda early this month. No plea was recorded from the accused, Azmi Amat, after the charge was read before Magistrate Dr Melissa Chia Pui Fung. According to the facts of the case, the incident came to light after police were alerted by Labuan Hospital at about 2.40 am on May 9 regarding a two-month-old baby girl brought to the hospital, suspected to be a victim of abuse. The infant later died while receiving treatment. A post-mortem examination revealed that the baby had serious head injuries caused by blunt force trauma, as well as several rib fractures. The man was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years and, if not sentenced to death, not fewer than 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction. The court fixed June 23 for remention. -- BERNAMA

LABUAN, May 25 — A 37-year-old man was charged in the Magistrate’s Court here today with the murder of his two-month-old daughter at a house in Kampung Bukit Kuda early this month. No plea was recorded from the accused, Azmi Amat, after the charge was read before Magistrate Dr Melissa Chia Pui Fung. According to […]