KOTA KINABAL Drugs and corruption are the two main enemies of our country today, said Tan Sri T.C. Goh, President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong).
He thus hoped the government, law enforcement agencies, and all citizens could pay more attention to prevention and respond with greater determination and a resolute attitude.
He also believes that drugs and corruption are not only the two main enemies of our country but also of the international community globally!
Goh, who is also the chairman of the Sabah State Joint Committee of the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF), made these remarks while officiating the opening of the “Youth Anti-Drug Seminar” jointly organised by the foundation and the Kota Kinabalu Ji Her Charity and Moral Uplifting Society (Ji Her) at Tshung Tsin Secondary School here.
Also in attendance were Datuk Jimmy Yong, the chairman of Tshung Tsin Secondary School, its board members Allen Lin and May Ng, its principal and vice principal Chung Chin Hin, and Wong Jia Lih, as well as the speaker and ambassador of the anti-drug campaign, Addy Leong Bon Huat, among others.
Goh said that in 1983, then Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammed listed drugs as the nation’s number one enemy and formulated strict drug policies and laws, including the death penalty for drug traffickers, to eliminate this primary enemy.
He said that the leaders at the time also hoped that Malaysia could become a “drug-free” country by 2020. Unfortunately, despite years of anti-drug efforts, the “number one enemy” still exists.
He said that besides listing drugs as the nation’s number one enemy, the current government also continuously emphasises the fight against corruption, which is widely supported by the public.
Goh, who is also the President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) and honorary president of Ji Her, said that while Malaysia is rapidly developing and Sabah is advancing towards prosperity, a hidden and persistent “saboteur” of progress and struggle remains—the drugs!
He then cited that the 2022 National Health and Morbidity Survey stated that there are 106,000 teenagers in Malaysia who have used drugs. Meanwhile, DCP Datuk Zainudin Ahmad, Deputy Director (Intelligence and Operations) of the National Narcotics Crime Investigation Department, pointed out that the number of people arrested for various drug-related activities last year increased by 9.5% compared to the previous year.
Zainudin nonetheless noted that the number of arrests under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985 dropped from 1,261 in the previous year to 1,012 last year (a decrease of 23.6%). This was mainly because the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department focused on higher-penalty drug activities. Zainudin also disclosed that the police seized many types of drugs during operations, and between 2020 and 2023, they dismantled 70 drug manufacturing centres.
Goh went on to note that Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on the Eradication of Drugs, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid, also revealed that between 2021 and 2023, the number of drug abusers and addicts, as well as those using prohibited substances, increased in various states. The National Anti-Drug Agency last year admitted and rehabilitated 75,294 addicts, 24.1% (18,115 people) of whom had family members involved in drug abuse, indicating that family members are also a factor.
He further noted that the newly-appointed Kota Kinabalu District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner, Kasim Muda, stated that the police will persist in combating drug crimes and strive to reduce the public’s fear of crime. He believes that drugs are the root of all crimes and will uphold the conviction of fighting drugs year-round without rest.
“The police chief’s heartfelt words are worth pondering. Having previously served in the police anti-drug unit, I am well aware of the numerous illegal methods and pervasive presence of drug traffickers and the immense threat and harm they pose to individuals, families, society, and the nation.” said Goh.
He added that the government has decided to launch an anti-drug campaign with the slogan “Tak Payah, Tak Nak” (“No Need, Don’t Want”) from this year until 2025, conveying the message of “preventing drugs starting from home,” with a focus on “better prevention.”
Goh believes that apart from family, another factor that must be guarded against is the type of friends youths associate with after entering society, as avoiding bad company is also crucial.
He emphasised that education and awareness are particularly important in the entire anti-drug campaign. In addition to families, schools also play a vital role. For example, through today’s anti-drug seminar, he hopes that students can benefit from it, increase their awareness, and stay away from drugs.
