By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Dec 2: Sarawak has recorded a 15.75 per cent increase in arrests related to drug and substance abuse with 11,717 cases reported this year compared to 10,122 cases in 2024, Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said.
Furthermore, according to statistics from the Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department – Narcotics, there were also 20 cases involving 26 arrests for possession of electronic cigarettes or vape liquid containing prohibited substances, with a total of 1,416.15 millilitres seized since 2023.
Fatimah stressed that the Ministry continues to strengthen the implementation of programmes and interventions focused on awareness, prevention, enforcement, and rehabilitation.
“As of October 2025, a total of 140 programmes and activities have been carried out, comprising 44 integrated enforcement programmes, 12 programmes in educational institutions, 11 programmes in workplaces, and 73 programmes within communities and families,” she said during her ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.
She highlighted several achievements, including the successful prevention of 155,204 potential instances of drug use and the safeguarding of 51,400 individuals within a one-month period in Sarawak.
Additionally, the number of individuals who voluntarily sought treatment and rehabilitation rose by 13.27 per cent, from 4,693 in 2024 to 5,316 this year.
Fatimah also noted that 83 individuals who have remained free from drug dependence for five consecutive years were honoured with medallions in recognition of their sustained recovery.
“During a courtesy visit from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on November 14, 2025, UNODC agreed to collaborate in supporting Sarawak to enhance training capacity, develop evidence-based prevention modules, and build a global network to strengthen the effectiveness of existing interventions
“The legal enforcement system and the smoothness of prosecutorial processes also play an important role,” she added.
To further improve outcomes, Fatimah said the Ministry proposes increasing the frequency of Circuit Court sessions to three times a month to expedite the charging process, as well as establishing two additional Chemical Pathology Units at the Sarawak Department of Pathology for the central and northern zones to accelerate the issuance of pathology reports and support smoother prosecution.
Fatimah also pointed out that Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri (MMKN) has agreed that the Ministry should carry out preventive actions and provide referrals for treatment for electronic cigarette or vape addiction issues in Sarawak. — DayakDaily
