KUCHING — Sarawak is intensifying collaboration with Bukit Aman’s Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) to address the state’s emergence as a drug transit hub and rising youth vaping, Minister of Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah announced Thursday. The commitment follows a high-level meeting at Baitulmakmur 2 with JSJN Acting Director Datuk Mat Zani @ Salahuddin Che Ali, who confirmed syndicates are exploiting Sarawak’s logistics networks for international distribution.
As chair of Sarawak’s One Stop Committee for Drug and Substance Issues (OSC-MIDS), Fatimah identified critical vulnerabilities: “Drug syndicates target courier services, overwhelming inspection capabilities. Current scanners detect metals but not narcotics.” She cited Miri Airport’s parcel volumes as particularly susceptible, with OSC-MIDS now developing countermeasures.
Simultaneously, Fatimah revealed a technical committee is reviewing vaping regulations for State Executive Council consideration, responding to parliamentary concerns about student usage. While Sarawak’s vape threat remains below Peninsular levels, Mat Zani urged preemptive action: “We need aggressive prevention with state support to keep communities drug-free.”
The JSJN director confirmed Sarawak’s new role as a Peninsular-to-international trafficking corridor, with courier services remaining the primary method. Joint operations will focus on syndicate network disruption and mastermind identification.
