By WU VUIDE
BEAUFORT: Sabah has allocated RM2.3 million this year to expand drug prevention efforts, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said.
The allocation, approved under the 2026 Meeting on Action to Combat Drugs (MTMD), will fund the expansion of the Public Sector TEKAD Programme and the empowerment of the Anti-Drug Squad (SKUAD Antidadah).
Hajiji announced this when officiating the MADANI Kita 2026 programme and the closing of the Beaufort Bagandang Festival at Dataran Bagandang.
He said Sabah’s progress cannot be measured by economic growth and infrastructure alone, but also by family well-being, public safety and the future of its youth.
“The drug menace must not be taken lightly. Behind every statistic are individuals and families who need guidance and support,” he said.
Citing National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) statistics, Hajiji said 130,307 addicts and abusers were recorded nationwide in the first half of 2026, a 3.4 per cent drop from 134,916 in the same period last year.
In Sabah, 5,269 cases were recorded, down 0.02 per cent.
Despite the decline, he warned the threat is evolving, with a rise in synthetic drugs including Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS), New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.
He singled out youths aged 19 to 39 as the most vulnerable group.
Hajiji outlined three strategies to tackle the problem.
First, strengthening families and communities as the first line of defence, with greater parental monitoring and more youth activities in rural, interior and island areas.
Second, integrated enforcement involving AADK, police and Customs through intelligence-sharing and joint operations to cripple syndicates.
Third, expanding treatment, rehabilitation and employment opportunities for recovering addicts.
“We must be firm against traffickers, but those who want to recover should not be burdened by stigma. They deserve a second chance,” he said.
He said AADK Sabah’s ongoing initiatives include the Drug-Free Aspiration Village (KABD) programme, the FELDA Sejahtera MADANI community programme, the Two-Wheeled Anti-Drug Squad Roadshow and operations in High-Risk Areas.
On the Bagandang Festival, revived after a decade since 2016, Hajiji said the event preserves Beaufort’s heritage and serves as a lead-up to Visit Sabah Year 2027.
At the event, he also presented 247 land titles covering 889.21 acres to villagers. This comprised 24 PANTAS titles (77.51 acres) and 223 Native Titles (811.7 acres).
Hajiji visits a government services booth.
