KUALA LUMPUR: Lawmakers have called on the government to place arrested drug users in dedicated rehabilitation centres far from prisons and high-risk environments, warning that current facilities allow continued access to narcotics and even drug pushers.
Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Abd Muttalib (PN-Maran) argued that Malaysia’s anti-drug campaign lacks comprehensiveness, and that rehabilitation would be more effective if drug users were removed from environments where drugs are readily available.
"If this is done seriously and involves all parties, I believe the rate of addiction and arrests will decline," he said during the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Wednesday (Nov 26).
Dr Ismail asked how many users are currently in rehabilitation or under supervision, and whether the government is considering placing them in special centres away from public areas.
"They must be kept far from where drug-dealing activities take place. There was once even a proposal to place them on an island so drug pushers cannot supply or rescue them," he added.
Mohd Sany Hamzan (PH-Hulu Langat) said the issue is worsening, with drugs now infiltrating not only prisons but also government-run rehab centres.
"Drugs are our number one enemy, but now even in prisons and rehabilitation centres, drugs can be smuggled in. This means we must fight corruption as well. Aside from drug abuse, corruption is now our ultimate enemy," he said.
Manndzri Nasib (BN-Tenggara) echoed these concerns, citing decades of inmates reporting easy access to drugs behind bars, possibly due to corruption.
"This has been a problem for decades. After 40 years, what is the ministry’s truly serious and effective approach to solve this? Synthetic drugs have also reached schools," he said.
Manndzri urged the government to revive previous community-based programmes with NGOs, youth groups, schools and universities, such as the ‘belia benci dadah’ (youth hate drugs) campaign.
He expressed hope that the government will work closely with the Youth and Sports Ministry to restore such prevention initiatives.
