04/05/2026

MONDAY | MAY 4, 2026

5

‘Increase in drug busts does not solve usage problem’

Majority of cases involve new users, says agency PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s drug problem remains persistently high, with new users now forming the majority of cases detected, according to the National Anti-Drugs Agency (Nada). Its director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said total cases rose from 145,526 in 2023 to 192,857 in 2024, before decreasing slightly to 191,832 in 2025. The rate per 100,000 population also increased from 436 to 566, before easing to 560. “Most cases detected in 2025 involved new users, with 119,569 new cases compared with 72,263 repeat cases,” he told theSun. Nada data also shows a significant proportion of those identified were first-time users or users of new substances. Ruslin said both new and repeat users continue to contribute to overall figures, although new users now make up the larger portion. On recovery, he said 81% of those assessed in 2025 achieved sustained recovery under the Cure and Care Recovery Index. A total of 21,794 out of 26,852 evaluated were recorded as having reached stable recovery status after undergoing treatment and rehabilitation programmes, either in centres or within the community. “The results indicate that Nada’s treatment and rehabilitation modules are effective and on the right track,” he said. On April 6, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said 13,655 drug users were detected in the state, with 95.2% being men. Amphetamine-type stimulants, including methamphetamine, accounted for 59.1% of cases, while youths aged between 15 and 39 comprised 76.4% of users. The figures highlight the dominance of synthetic drugs and the concentration of usage among young age groups. – BY T.C. KHOR 10-year-old girl drowns in pond SEREMBAN: A 10-year-old girl was found drowned after she is believed to have slipped into an artificial pond at Taman Eko Rimba Jeram Toi in Jelebu on Saturday. District police chief Supt Azizan Said said his department received information about the incident at 5.44pm from a 38-year-old local man, who is also a member of the Civil Defence Force. “Initial investigations found that the victim went to the location of the incident with family members for a picnic. The victim and her mother are believed to have slipped and fallen into the pond. “The victim’s mother managed to save herself while the victim drowned,” he said in a statement yesterday. He said with the help of the public, the victim was found at the bottom of the pond. – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Drug arrests are climbing nationwide, but rather than signalling progress, experts say the trend is laying bare a system that continues to rely heavily on punishment while failing to stem addiction or sustain recovery. Universiti Sains Malaysia Centre for Drug Research Vicknasingam B. Kasinather said the rising arrest o Enforcement must be paired with demand reduction strategies to stem addiction or sustain recovery, says specialist Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Council Raja Azizan Suhaimi said the rising figures cannot be viewed purely through a law enforcement lens. “The increase in drug cases and arrests today is not simply because there are more bad people or damaged individuals, but because the reality of life now is becoming more pressured – economic pressure, family problems, loneliness, untreated trauma, mental health issues and social influences,” he said. He drew a clear distinction between operational success and genuine recovery, adding that repeat arrests reflect a system that is strong on detention but weak on rehabilitation. “That may be proof that our system is good at catching people, but not yet strong enough to rehabilitate them.” He said even when users are taken off drugs temporarily, the system often fails to sustain long-term recovery. Raja Azizan also said enforcement-heavy approaches may discourage people from seeking help. “Many drug users actually want to get help, but they are afraid of being arrested, recorded as offenders, punished or judged. In the end, they delay seeking help until the situation becomes much worse.” He added that wealthy families are increasingly opting for private treatment because they perceive gaps in the public rehabilitation system, particularly in aftercare and reintegration support. “Many from the T20 group choose private treatment alternatives for their children because they are aware of the weaknesses of the existing system.” On March 29, Narcotics Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said drug related cases rose to 242,075, with more than 300,000 arrests recorded nationwide between 2023 and 2025. secretary-general Rani was reported as saying the reports were lodged as a show of loyalty to the royal institution while also urging all parties not to inflame racial or religious sensitivities. On April 17, Bukit Aman had also cautioned against the misuse of social media to spread provocative or inflammatory content. Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar said 30 cases were investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 between January and March. He said the cases involved alleged seditious acts or remarks against the royal institution, race, the administration of justice and the government. Kumar reminded the public that freedom of expression was not a licence to publish insulting, defamatory or provocative statements that could threaten public order.

Vicknasingam was blunt. “In my more than 20 years of doing research in this area, I have never seen a time when there has been a shortage of drugs in the community. “Any amount of drug seizure by enforcement agencies has never really impacted the illicit drug market in a particular area. As long as there is demand, there will be supply.” He also questioned whether enforcement efforts are reaching the right targets, adding that many of those imprisoned for trafficking are from lower-income backgrounds and not the main profiteers in the drug trade. “Are we getting the drug kingpins or are we only nabbing low-level drug traffickers who are involved due to socio-economic reasons? The big drug kingpin finances the trafficking but does not touch the drugs. Hence, they rarely get caught,” he said. Malaysian Substance Abuse

figures reflect operational activity rather than meaningful impact on drug use. “While the number of arrests continues to increase, the outcomes of these arrests are not encouraging. “Sending people who use drugs to prison is not useful because most of them will go back to drugs almost immediately once they are released. In short, the increase in arrests does not solve the problem of drug use. It only temporarily puts an individual away,” he told theSun. He said enforcement must be paired with demand reduction strategies, stressing that addiction is a mental health condition that imprisonment does not address. “Locking up drug users without providing treatment will almost certainly result in drug users continuing to use drugs once they are released,” he said. On whether drug seizures are effectively suppressing supply,

Vicknasingam said many of those imprisoned for trafficking are from lower-income backgrounds and not the main profiteers in the drug trade. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ /THESUN

Stern action to be taken against hostile, insulting online content

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

MCMC was working with Meta and police to carry out forensic analyses on the post, including whether fake accounts or provocateurs were involved. This followed MCMC recording a statement from an individual linked to the Facebook account “HuaYan The Pureland Learning Centre” on April 27, after the person denied uploading the content. Meanwhile, six Sepang-based NGOs lodged police reports on May 1 at the Sepang district police headquarters over the issue, calling for stern action against those who insulted the royal institution. The groups comprised Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islam Malaysia, Warisan Empauar Dengkil, Persatuan Silat Tempur Langkah Timah, Komuniti Belia Taman Anggerik and Amal Rief Malaysia Sepang. Their spokesman Al Rasyid Ab

working with police and the relevant agencies to monitor, investigate and take action against those creating and posting content found to be in breach of the law. “Offenders may face action under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, including a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both,” it said. The commission also warned that action could be taken against platform providers who fail to cooperate, reminding them to comply with legal requirements and prevent misuse of their services. The warning comes amid heightened public attention over a separate investigation into alleged insulting content involving the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah. On April 29, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has issued a stern warning to the public against creating or circulating content involving race, religion and royalty (3R), saying such material risks fuelling hatred and public disorder. The regulator said it was particularly concerned over content that are provocative, insulting or capable of inciting hostility and social tension. “MCMC views seriously the misuse of network services and online platforms that could affect social harmony. “The public is advised to verify the authenticity of information before sharing it to avoid misunderstanding or hostility,” it said in a statement yesterday. It added that it would continue