By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 17: The Dayak Integration Network Group has called on the federal and Sarawak governments to explain the “system leakages” that continue to allow illegal drugs to reach urban centres, small towns, and even remote communities across the State.
Its protem chairman Bobby William said the group viewed with grave concern the rising cases of drug abuse and trafficking in Sarawak, which have continued despite numerous enforcement operations and public awareness campaigns.
He questioned how drug supplies were still able to penetrate various communities despite ongoing efforts to curb the problem.
“Where are the system leakages that continue to allow illegal drugs to reach cities, small towns, and even the most remote communities?” he asked in a statement today.
Bobby said both governments should conduct a comprehensive review of border security, drug trafficking networks, enforcement effectiveness, and the impact of existing prevention strategies.
He stressed that all enforcement agencies must continue strengthening institutional integrity, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring there was no room for any form of collusion with drug syndicates.
“Where weaknesses, misconduct, or corruption are identified, firm action must be taken in accordance with the law,” he said.
Bobby also emphasised that the fight against drugs could not rely solely on arrests and enforcement operations.
He said greater focus must be placed on early prevention, quality education, youth employment opportunities, effective rehabilitation programmes, and stronger community participation, particularly in longhouses, rural areas, and the interior.
“Drug abuse is no longer merely a criminal issue. It is a serious threat to public safety, public health, family institutions, and the future of Sarawak’s younger generation,” he said.
The group also urged the government to provide greater transparency by releasing comprehensive data on drug abuse trends, evaluating current policies, and outlining a clear and measurable action plan to demonstrate that anti-drug efforts were producing meaningful and lasting results.
Bobby said success should not be measured solely by the number of arrests made, but by whether drug supplies were disrupted, criminal syndicates dismantled, and young people protected from becoming victims of drug abuse. — DayakDaily
