75pct of prison inmates serving sentences for drug offences, says Saifuddin

Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, the Home Minister of Malaysia, revealed that approximately 75% of inmates across the country's 41 prisons are serving sentences for drug-related offenses. The prison with the highest percentage being Machang Prison, where the figure exceeds 90%. The primary offences include those under Sections 15(1), 12(2), and 39 of the Dangerous Drugs Act.

The most overcrowded prison in the nation is Pengkalan Chepa. Saifuddin highlighted that the largest group of drug offenders falls between the ages of 15 and 39, with a growing concern over children below 15 becoming involved in drug abuse. To tackle the issue, he emphasized the need for more comprehensive preventive measures, including early education and enhanced parental involvement.

The National Anti-Drugs Agency (Nada) has three main functions - education and prevention, enforcement, and rehabilitation. Saifuddin also discussed the Kampung Angkat Madani programme, noting that several projects have been implemented in Kampung Gosong to improve facilities and residents' well-being. This includes upgrades to Surau Kampung Gosong, Masjid Bilal, the village cemetery, and the installation of lighting.

The upgrade of 14 houses, carried out in cooperation with Akademi Binaan Malaysia, involved 10 individuals supervised by the Prisons Department and Rela members. The Home Ministry's 11 agencies select a school and village each year for these initiatives, which have been executed for three consecutive years, reaching 33 villages and 33 schools nationwide across Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak.