06/08/2025

WEDNESDAY | AUG 6, 2025

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Govt mulls new law to tackle online drug sales

RM3.6m lost in umrah fraud cases since last year KUALA LUMPUR: From 2024 until May this year, 204 complaints related to umrah fraud with losses amounting to RM3.6 million have been reported, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan. He said the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) also recorded 58 complaints about the haj package fraud, with over RM600,000 in losses. “According to the Foreign Ministry, the Malaysian consulate general in Jeddah reported that at least 97 Malaysians were detained and deported by Saudi authorities during this year’s haj season. “Another 34 individuals were fined for trying to perform the haj without valid visas,” he said this during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Zulkifli shared the figures in response to a question by Zahari Kechik (PN-Jeli) about the financial losses faced by haj and umrah pilgrims in 2024 and 2025 and what the government is doing to stop such scams. Regarding the recent case of 47 Malaysians scammed by a haj fraud syndicate, Zulkifli said 25 police reports were made on June 23. Investigations revealed violations of of Section 21 A, C, and D of the Haj Fund Act 1995 by those organising the trips, despite not being licenced haj travel agents for the 2025 season. Two individuals were charged in court on July 29 and could face penalties under the Haj Fund Act. Motac has also been informed of these violations and may suspend or revoke the company’s licence for putting the public at risk. Zulkifli added that the individuals caught trying to perform haj with tourist visas dealt with non-licenced agents. “Tabung Haji (Pilgrims Fund Board) can only take action against licenced agents, including canceling their licence, blacklisting them or imposing fines.” – Bernama ‘Move away from silos, embrace synergy for progress’ KUALA LUMPUR: All government agencies have been urged to move away from working in isolation or silo and adopt a more inclusive, collaborative system to strengthen the country’s social development efforts. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the outdated exclusive agency approach must be abandoned, as real strength lies in the ability of all parties to work together in synergy. “In the face of increasingly complex social challenges, we can no longer operate in silos. We must shift from a culture of exclusive agencies to one of collaborative systems. “This is the foundation for social strengthening. True strength does not lie in who holds the most power, but in how far we can move forward together,” he said at the Social Synergy Congress 2025 yesterday. Shamsul Azri emphasised that effective government governance must be built on a strong ethical and cultural foundation, cautioning against administrative processes that become hollow routines devoid of human values. “Without noble values in governance, processes are merely empty routines, lacking soul and spirit. At the same time, a culture without a system risks leading our efforts astray. “Therefore, culture and process must go hand in hand. We must combine the spirit of humanity with systematic efficiency – this is the true space for a better, more meaningful administration,” he added. – Bernama

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Cabinet committee reviewing legal framework as social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook pose enforcement challenges, says home minister

KAJANG: The government is reviewing the need to amend existing laws or introduce a new act to combat the growing trend of drug sales conducted via online platforms. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the matter has been raised at the Cabinet Committee on Combating Drug Abuse, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. “In the past, this method of selling didn’t exist. Now, buyers place orders online, so we need to revisit the legal and regulatory framework to strengthen it,” he told a press conference yesterday after closing the i Deen recovery programme at the National Anti-Drugs Agency (Nada) headquarters in Kajang. Also present were Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, Nada director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh, Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman and Federal Narcotics Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan. Saifuddin said the issue of the sale of drugs online is complex and involves multiple agencies. “For instance, the supply of drugs falls under the Home Ministry but when transactions occur on digital platforms, it involves the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry. “If they use e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, detection is relatively easier. But when they operate through social media channels like WhatsApp or Facebook, enforcement becomes more difficult,” he said, adding that the delivery process adds another layer of challenge. He said the trend of selling drugs online is rising and deeply worrying, as these transactions are discreet and harder for authorities to detect. “We are aware of the issue. That’s why the government is currently reviewing existing legislation to ensure it stays relevant with evolving modus operandi. ” The Cabinet committee on drug issues meets three times a year, with the most recent meeting held in June. Saifuddin said the proposal to address the issue was tabled during the last meeting as an information paper. “No decision has been finalised yet. Discussions are ongoing, but our direction is clear – we will either amend current laws or introduce a new act specifically to tackle online drug transactions.” theSun had earlier reported that the

Saifuddin (left) presenting the Best Nada award to Johor Nada director Mohd Faisal Maksom at the closing ceremony of the i-Deen programme at the Nada headquarters in Kajang yesterday. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

rehabilitation efforts. The event featured three competitions – Quran memorisation ( hafazan) , Quran recitation ( tilawah ) and nasyid – involved patients from Nada treatment centres nationwide. “The rehab process at Nada is continuous. The programme aims to produce religious role models among recovering addicts, helping to prepare them for reintegration into society.”

Magic Mushroom liquid – laced with synthetic drugs – is being sold online for as low as RM1 per drop, making it easily accessible to youths and first-time users. Saifuddin also said Nada aims to achieve an 80% recovery rate among drug addicts receiving treatment at its centres. “Currently, recovery rate stands at 79%. The agency is targeting 80% by next year.” Earlier, in his speech, Ruslin said the i-Deen programme is part of Nada’s ongoing

Let due process prevail in death of student: Saifuddin KAJANG: All parties must not speculate on the death of religious school student Zara Qairina Mahathir and respect the ongoing investigation process. reporters after the launch of the i-Deen programme at the Nada headquarters yesterday. Saifuddin stressed that interference by any party would only fuel further speculation. to return the papers to the police for improvement and refinement.”

Zara, a Form One student at a religious school in Papar, Sabah, was found unconscious after allegedly falling from a hostel building. She was later pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital at 11am on July 17. On Aug 1, Zara’s family was reported to have requested an inquest to determine whether there were any criminal elements involved in her death. However, there has been no further update on the matter. The family’s lawyers have appealed to the AGC to return the investigation papers to the police so the case can be reopened. Lawyers Hamid Ismail and Shahlan Jufri claimed there were serious flaws and gaps in the investigation report received by the AGC. – By Ikhwan Zulkaflee

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said if there are shortcomings in the police investigation papers, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) will request the police to rectify them. Saifuddin said his ministry does not wish to be drawn into the polemics surrounding the teenager’s death and will leave the matter entirely to the relevant authorities to handle according to due process. “This is how it works. We should follow procedure. When an incident occurs, the police will open an investigation paper. Once the police complete their investigation, they will hand it over to the attorney general,” he told

“We must give space for the police to carry out their investigation. If not, people will ask, why is it taking so long? And if it’s done too quickly, they’ll ask, why so fast?” He added that any decision by the AG would be based on a thorough and careful process. “The AG must be fully convinced before making a decision to prosecute, especially in high-profile cases where the public wants to know the truth of what happened. So, let the process unfold. “If there are weaknesses in the investigation, it is standard practice for the AG