Don’t hire those involved in drug abuse – Pang

TAWAU: Merotai assemblyman Datuk Pang Yuk Ming has called on businesses, especially government-linked companies to be extremely careful when hiring workers or contractors after some were found to be involved in drug abuse.

Pang, who was commenting on the recent arrest of three workers hired by a Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TMB) contractor, said that as a leading government-linked company, TMB should always set a good example for others by being more vigilant and avoid engaging contractors who hire workers with drug problems.

“We believe it is part of its Key Performance Index (KPI) to keep drugs out of TMB workforce,” he said.

TMB is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Bhd, a sovereign wealth fund of the government of Malaysia.

Pang, who is also Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, said hiring active drug addicts would have a far-reaching adverse impact on the entire society.

It indirectly encourages drug abuse and trafficking that will lead to various crimes, he said.

Pang commended the district police for their ongoing operations to flush out criminal elements and activities in the district.

“We must take serious note of this issue of companies hiring drug addicts as workers, which if left unchecked, could subsequently become a menace. Hence, it must be promptly and seriously tackled,” he said.

Pang, who is also the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) deputy president, said the district shared borders with neighbouring countries and was exposed to various cross-border criminal elements, and thus acknowledged that security forces like the police played a crucial role in keeping the district safe from such threats, including drug menace.

District police chief ACP Fadil Marsus confirmed that the police had arrested three workers of the TMB contractor who were charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952. One of the men detained was also found not having any valid identification document.