JENGKA: Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has expressed concern over drug issues in the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) settlements in the state, stressing that they must not be turned into a drug hub.
His Royal Highness made the remark following data from the National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA), which revealed that of the 4,204 addicts in Pahang, 1,317 were from Felda settlements, including 264 in FELDA Jengka alone.
"Felda is a symbol of the nation’s success, a fertile land that has nurtured generations of settlers. I do not want this heritage to continue to be marred by ‘gejala hitam’. Restore its dignity as a blessed land that produced a strong, knowledgeable and morally upright generation,” he said.
Al-Sultan Abdullah said this when officiating the closing ceremony of the Jelajah Pahang Teguh Dadah Terkawal (PTDT) in conjunction with the state-level Anti-Drug Day celebration at Dewan Balora Mastika here on Saturday (Sept 20).
Also present were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
Al-Sultan Abdullah also reminded the Felda leadership to take the matter seriously and not merely focus on profit or political interests.
"Drug problems among young people in Felda are becoming rampant. Leaders must take greater responsibility to ensure the issue is addressed. I hope my presence today will help put an end to the drug issue,” said His Royal Highness.
Meanwhile, the Ruler emphasised the need to strengthen enforcement along the nation’s sea borders through coordinated efforts by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, the police, the Royal Malaysian Navy and local communities to prevent the country’s waters from becoming drug entry points.
He said drug syndicates were using various methods, including fishing vessels, merchant ships and small boats, to smuggle prohibited substances from abroad before landing them on remote beaches and estuaries.
Al-Sultan Abdullah said that Pahang, with its long coastline stretching from Rompin to Cherating, had become a target for these syndicates, some disguising themselves as fishermen, yet their nets were meant not for fish but to lure the nation’s youth into drugs. - Bernama
