SIMUNJAN – Batang Sadong Member of Parliament Rodiyah Sapiee has urged communities, particularly in rural areas, to step up vigilance and strengthen cooperation in tackling the growing threat of drug abuse.
Speaking at the Closing Ceremony of the Simunjan District Drug-Free Community Programme 2025, she highlighted that drug-related arrests in the district have risen sharply, with 73 cases recorded this year compared to 43 last year. The figures, she said, reflect a troubling trend that requires immediate attention.
“The drug threat is no longer concentrated in the city, but is increasingly evident in the countryside and cannot be taken lightly,” she stressed.
Rodiyah commended the Simunjan District One Stop Committee (OSC) for Addressing Drug and Substance Issues (MIDS) for organising the programme, which drew around 200 participants and involved 19 government agencies and non-governmental organisations.
She noted that such initiatives demonstrate the Sarawak Government’s integrated approach to drug prevention.
She emphasised that the programme was not merely symbolic but played a vital role in raising awareness and educating the public about current drug trends.
Rodiyah also praised the creation of the Simunjan District Anti-Drug Squad, which engages local youth in prevention efforts.
She underlined the importance of young people acting as peer educators and community watchdogs. “Youth must be peer educators and the eyes and ears of the community,” she said.
The MP further stressed that combating drugs requires collective responsibility, involving parents, educators and community leaders.
She expressed concern about the involvement of school students in drug-related activities, urging parents to provide early supervision.
“Early supervision by parents is very important because small things can be the gateway to more serious drug abuse,” she explained.
Looking ahead, Rodiyah expressed hope that Simunjan could achieve a future free from drug abuse. She envisioned stronger enforcement efforts paired with declining arrest numbers, which would signal the success of preventive measures.
The event was attended by Simunjan District Officer and OSC Chairman Sanuyah Mohamad, Samarahan Division Resident Representative Hasanal Abdul Wahid, Acting Secretary of the Simunjan District Council Sabli Razak, and Simunjan District Police Chief DSP Rafhan Kepli, alongside other officials.
The call for community cooperation reflects a broader push by Sarawak leaders to safeguard rural areas from the growing drug menace and to ensure that prevention, education and enforcement work hand in hand.
