State Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah (centre) accompanied by QSearch SouthEast Asia Group (Malaysia) business development manager, Joanne Wong (left) and Assistant State Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis (right) briefing the media on Sarawak’s digital initiative to combat drug problems at the Baitul Makmur Building, Petra Jaya. Pix by Adib Povera
PETRA JAYA: Sarawak is mulling imposing a ban on those with drug-related offences from entering the state.
The proposal to ban non-Sarawakians convicted under the Dangerous Drugs Act (Special Preventive Measures) 1985 is one of six recommendations being studied by the state government to reduce drug-related crimes in Sarawak.
State Welfare, Community Well-being, Women, Family, Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the move is part of the state government’s way to tackle the problem in a holistic manner.
“Drug problems in Sarawak is a matter that concerns not only the state, but is a national issue.
“The solution to address this problem will not only depend on the state government since some of the implementation agencies are under federal administration.
“We will forward it (to the Federal government and agencies involved) and hope to get a positive response from the stakeholders,” said Fatimah.
She was speaking to reporters after attending a briefing from Singapore-based social media data and analytic company QSearch, here today.
Assistant State Community Well-being Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, and Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, were present. Also in attendance were QSearch founder and chief executive officer Roger Do and the group business development manager in Malaysia, Joanne Wong.
Fatimah, however, did not provide a specific deadline on when the proposal could be implemented.
In Sarawak, affairs related to immigration powers are placed under the prerogative of the state government.
The state government, she said, is also taking its war on drug traffickers to the cyber world by capitalising on the internet and social media.
She said the state government is identifying the best mechanism to allow people to provide information on drug problems among their family members or within their neighbourhood.
“We are finding the best platform to empower and enable the community to give tip-offs on drug problems anonymously.
“We believe there are many people who are aware and have information of family members or neighbours who are addicts and drug peddlers but refuse to play their part since they are concerned for their safety.
“The state government hopes that this new mechanism will encourage more people to come forward and share information on drug problems within their surrounding,” she said.
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