{
  "id": 1252410,
  "title": "Saifuddin Nasution warns poverty and drugs, not racial fears, are Malays’ real enemies",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/saifuddin-nasution-warns-poverty-and-drugs-not-racial-fears-are-1252410",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T10:39:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/16/saifuddin-nasution-warns-poverty-and-drugs-not-racial-fears-are-malays-real-enemies/231606"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "MELAKA, Aug 16 — In his concluding remarks at the PKR National Congress 2026, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stressed that the real threat to the Malays is poverty and drug addiction, not racial fears or the presence of other races in the country. The Home Minister highlighted that Malays are not threatened by the existence of Chinese, Indians, or any other ethnic group in Malaysia. Saifuddin, who is currently serving as PKR's deputy president during his speech, pointed out that Malays are most at risk when they are impoverished and have a high prevalence of drug addiction.\n\nAccording to data from the Ministry of Health and the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), approximately 560 out of every 100,000 people in Malaysia are involved in drug addiction. However, Saifuddin noted that the situation is alarming in several Malay-majority states, such as Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, where the rates of drug addiction exceed 1,000 per 100,000 people. These figures indicate that the most significant threat to the Malays is the involvement of Malay youths in drug-related activities.\n\nSaifuddin emphasized that the issue is particularly prevalent among those aged between 15 and 39, especially those with a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) education level or lower. He argued that neglecting to develop the states, lack of job opportunities, and the involvement of young people in drugs are the primary factors contributing to the threat against the Malay community. Saifuddin stressed that if Malays are not addressed through development and opportunities, drug addiction becomes a significant danger to the Malay society.",
  "summary": "MELAKA, Aug 16 — The position of Malays in the country is not threatened by the existence of other races, but by p...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Saifuddin: Poverty, drug abuse bigger threat to Malays than presence of other races",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/saifuddin-poverty-drug-abuse-bigger-threat-to-malays-than-presence-of",
        "published": "2026-08-16T06:03:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Saifuddin Nasution warns poverty and drugs, not racial fears, are Malays’ real enemies",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/saifuddin-nasution-warns-poverty-and-drugs-not-racial-fears-are",
        "published": "2026-08-16T10:39:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}