Tawau, Keningau in focus as Sabah aims to bring down drug abuse cases

KOTA KINABALU: Extra effort will be placed in Tawau and Keningau to bring down the number of drug abuse cases in these two districts this year, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

The Chief Minister said Merotai in Tawau and Tuarid Taud in Keningau must be given focus in the effort to bring the number of drug abuse cases down to a “green” level this year.

He said these are some of the high risk areas identified, whereas Penampang and Balung in Tawau are going to be the areas of focus for 2025.

Hajiji said this when chairing the state level drug eradication action council meeting here, Thursday (March 7).

He said these are some of the ongoing efforts to control and ultimately clear the state of this social ill.

He said local authorities in every district or sub-district must work together with government agencies such as the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) and other enforcement agencies to fight drug abuse, with this problem still being the nation’s number one enemy.

“Everyone must work together to fight our country’s top social ill, for the future of our children, for the wellbeing of our community and prosperity of our nation,” Hajiji said.

He said it takes everyone’s effort and commitment to make a policy and initiative work, and in this sense, to achieve the “Dadah Terkawal 2025 (Control of Drugs 2025”) plan.

The AADK had prepared a set of key performance indicators (KPI) and plans that are realistic and achievable to meet this plan, but it cannot be realised without full commitment from all, he said.

Hajiji said a total of 28 districts have had drug eradication action council meetings since 2023 which also saw district committee chairpersons and volunteer squads appointed.

“District level leaders must make sure to remain consistent when carrying out meetings, programmes and other activities to achieve the bigger plan,” he said, adding these programmes should also be carried out systematically.