Home Minister warns synthetic drugs are turning users into violent 'zombies'

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail highlighted a growing problem with synthetic drugs that make users appear zombie-like and have been linked to violent crimes such as the murder of spouses, parents and friends. According to Saifuddin, the east coast of Malaysia experiences a higher prevalence of these synthetic substances, whereas the west coast sees a blend of different drugs. He stressed that the ease of access keeps national consumption rates elevated.

The National Anti-Drug Agency (Nada) is tasked with three core duties: public education and prevention, law-enforcement actions, and rehabilitation services at its treatment centres. In a separate briefing, Saifuddin said the Immigration Department has identified 224 hotspots for undocumented migrants through raid data, categorising foreigners by documentation status and misuse. These findings guide ongoing enforcement operations.