Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor chaired a key meeting on Monday (Apr 21) aimed at intensifying the state’s battle against drugs, as the number of addicts and substance abusers in the state continues to climb.

The meeting comes as Sabah recorded a 7.5 per cent increase in drug users last year, with 9,207 cases compared to 8,567 in 2023 — though the figure still makes up just 4.8 per cent of the national tally.

The state’s current addiction rate stands at 246 per 100,000 people, which remains within the national target of under 400.

But Hajiji warned the trend is moving in the wrong direction.

“It’s a worrying situation, not only for Sabah but for the country as a whole. We must curb both supply and demand if we want to reverse it,” he told members of the State Drug Eradication Action Council (MTMD) during the meeting at Menara Kinabalu on Monday.

This year, Sabah’s anti-drug campaign will zero in on two high-risk districts: Penampang and Balung in Tawau. 

Municipal council presidents from both areas have been appointed as coordinators for the local response, Hajiji confirmed.

In tandem, efforts will also focus on defending the “green zone” status of seven other areas, including Likas, Inanam and Tanjung Batu.

Also tabled at the meeting was a pilot programme by the Sabah chapter of the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), dubbed Kampung Sejahtera Tanggungjawab Bersama, which promotes grassroots involvement in keeping communities drug-free.

“I call on everyone here to step up. The drug threat is real — and we must not let it rob our next generation of a future,” Hajiji said.

The meeting was attended by several senior officials, including Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib, State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, State Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun, and newly appointed Sabah AADK director Elmariah Chung.

The state has committed to achieving its “Drug Under Control 2025” goal. – April 21, 2025