Hajiji and other guests posing with members of the public attending the officiating ceremony of the MADANI Kita Programme (PMK) and the closing of the Bagandang Arts Festival at Dataran Bagandang, Beaufort, today.
BEAUFORT: The State Government has allocated RM2.3 million this year to strengthen drug prevention efforts through the expansion of the Public Sector TEKAD Programme and the empowerment of the Anti-Drug SQUAD, as part of its ongoing commitment to curb the threat of drug abuse in the State.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said the allocation was approved through the 2026 Drug Eradication Action Committee (MTMD) meeting, alongside various initiatives implemented by the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) Sabah.
He said Sabah’s development was measured not only by economic growth and infrastructure progress, but also depended on family well-being, community safety and the future of the younger generation.
“The threat of drugs must not be taken lightly as its effects not only undermine individuals’ health and lives, but also threaten family harmony, public safety and the State’s productivity.
“Behind every figure recorded are individuals and families who need attention, guidance and support to build a better life,” he said when officiating the 2026 MADANI Kita Programme and the closing of the Beaufort Bagandang Festival at Dataran Bagandang here today.
Hajiji said that based on AADK statistics up to June 2026, a total of 130,307 individuals were recorded as drug addicts and drug abusers nationwide, a decrease of 3.4 per cent compared with 134,916 individuals during the same period last year.
In Sabah, he said, 5,269 individuals were recorded, representing a decrease of 0.02 per cent compared with the corresponding period the previous year.
“Despite the decline, we must not become complacent as the drug threat continues to evolve, particularly involving synthetic drugs such as Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS), New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl,” he said.
He said youths aged between 19 and 39 required serious attention as they were among the key drivers of the State’s development.
If this group became involved in drug abuse, he said, the consequences would not only affect their future but also bring losses to their families, the economy and society.
In this regard, he said three key strategies needed to be prioritised to ensure the drug threat could be addressed more effectively.
The first strategy was to strengthen families and communities as the main line of defence against drug abuse, including the role of parents in monitoring their children’s social circles, understanding changes in their behaviour and fostering open communication within the family.
At the same time, community leaders, youth associations and volunteers needed to expand positive activities to build character and protect young people from the influence of drugs.
Hajiji said these efforts also needed to reach rural, interior and island communities to ensure geographical factors did not become an obstacle to access to drug prevention education, early intervention and government services.
The second strategy was to enhance enforcement and integrated cooperation among agencies, including AADK, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and relevant agencies through information sharing, intelligence gathering and joint operations to combat drug trafficking and dismantle syndicate networks.
He said firm action against drug traffickers and syndicates must go hand in hand with prevention and early intervention efforts to curb drug supplies, reduce demand and prevent new cases.
The third strategy was to expand access to treatment, rehabilitation and employment opportunities so that individuals struggling with addiction could regain their independence and lead productive lives.
“We must be firm against drug trafficking activities, but at the same time provide opportunities for individuals who are making efforts to recover.
“They should not continue to be burdened by stigma to the extent that returning to their families and communities becomes difficult. Instead, they must be guided, given a second chance and helped to contribute once again to the country’s development,” he said.
He said AADK Sabah’s initiatives included the Drug-Free Aspirational Village Programme (KABD), the MADANI FELDA Sejahtera Community Programme, the Two-Wheeled Anti-Drug SQUAD Roadshow, the Drug-Free Aspirations Tour (JABD), Moto Day 9.0 and Ops Cegah Khas, as well as targeted operations in High-Risk Areas (KBT).
Hajiji hoped that close cooperation between the Federal Government, Sabah State Government, AADK, enforcement agencies and the community could be translated into coordinated and effective action down to the grassroots level.
In another development, he said the revival of the Bagandang Festival would help bring back the atmosphere and artistic traditions of Bagandang, which were synonymous with the Beaufort community, while introducing them to people throughout Sabah.
He said the festival also served as a platform to prepare Beaufort for Visit Sabah Year 2027, while generating economic and social benefits for the community through business opportunities for local entrepreneurs via sales stalls and the tamu market.
At the event, the Chief Minister also presented 247 land grants covering a total area of 889.21 acres to village residents.
Of the total, 24 were PANTAS grants covering 77.51 acres, while the remaining 223 were ordinary Native Title (NT) grants covering 811.7 acres.
