Officials warn rising drug use among youths and strain on immigration centres

Speaking after a Home Ministry programme in Machang, Saifuddin reported that individuals between 15 and 39 years old represent the largest share of drug-abuse offenders, based on profiling data. He urged earlier intervention through enhanced education campaigns and greater parental participation, stressing the need to raise public awareness. The minister cited Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu as regions where drug-related case rates exceed the national threshold, with Pendang in Kedah leading the country, followed by Kuala Krai in Kelantan and other districts such as Tumpat, Tanah Merah, Bachok and Besut surpassing 1,000 cases per 100,000 people.

Saifuddin emphasized cooperation among his ministry, the National Anti-Drugs Agency, police and state governments to expand outreach programmes. He also warned that immigration detention facilities nationwide are under capacity pressure, as daily operations against undocumented migrants have increased the detainee count beyond the roughly 20,000-person capacity, a situation linked to recent mapping of high-concentration foreign-national areas.