Kelantan: Kelantan has emerged as the state with the highest rate of drug abuse in Malaysia based on the ratio per 100,000 residents, as announced by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Terengganu follows as the second highest, with Perlis and Kedah ranked third and fourth respectively.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Saifuddin highlighted that the four states share significant commonalities, being border areas that could potentially serve as smuggling routes and having a predominantly Malay-Muslim population. However, he emphasized that the analyses are conducted purely on data and not ethnicity. Pendang district in Kedah records the highest number of cases, succeeded by Kuala Krai and Bachok in Kelantan.
Saifuddin underscored the growing concern over drug abuse in the country, with statistics showing a troubling increase in the number of individuals involved. In 2022, there were 137,176 individuals recorded, which rose to 145,526 in 2023, and escalated to 192,857 in 2024. The data, drawn from the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), the Health Ministry (MOH), NADA, and 55 private rehabilitation centers, indicates that 61 percent of drug addicts are within the age bracket of 15 to 39. The use of methamphetamine and amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) has increased to 34.4 percent, while cannabis use saw a significant rise to 63.4 percent with 7,121 cases recorded.
Saifuddin also mentioned that enforcement measures are underway, including enhanced border control efforts. “This includes tightening border areas in Sungai Golok, Kelantan, with the presence of special teams from the Perak Camp. Illegal entry points are also being monitored to curb the smuggling of drugs,” he stated.
In related developments, Saifuddin addressed concerns regarding the Prisons Department, which has scheduled a meeting with officials from the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) regarding an alleged incident involving the death of a Taiping Prison inmate. He assured that the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) and the Prisons Department are fully cooperating in the investigation. “The Parliamentary Select Committee, the Human Rights and Security Committee have called the KDN. If the KDN wanted to hide, we would not attend, but we are going,” he affirmed.
Saifuddin concluded by asserting that the Prisons Department is committed to collaborating fully with the investigation, stressing that procedural orderliness is essential.