Zahid: We’ll tackle drug menace our way
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will not resort to the controversial methods used by the Philippine government to contain the drug problem, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the measures taken by the Philippines were more suited to that country’s needs.
“We respect the methods undertaken by them but they are only suitable for that country,” he said.
“Malaysia will be using its own methods, especially in enforcing the laws that we already have,” he told a press conference after attending the Cabinet Committee on Eradication of Drugs at the Parliament temporary building here yesterday.
It was reported that the extrajudicial killings to combat drug-related crimes undertaken by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had so far killed 3,000 people since July.
Meanwhile, Zahid said Kedah has topped the list of states with the highest number of drug abuse among pupils.
He said 4% from a sampling of 35,755 students were found positive for drug abuse.
Asked for the reason, Zahid said it could be that drugs were easily accessible in the state.
He said 74% of the pupils were found using methamphetamine, 20% cannabis and the rest various types of drugs.
As to the outcome of the Cabinet Committee meeting, he said it was suggested that assets seized from drug dealers be liquidated under court order.
“The liquidated assets would then be used to assist aspects such as drug prevention, rehabilitation and enforcement,” he said.
Earlier, Zahid, who is also the home minister, issued a warning to VIPs against becoming patrons of unregistered or illegal societies.
He extended his warning to members of the Dewan Rakyat as well.
“If anyone of them is found to be involved, be prepared to face the legal consequences,” he said in reply to a supplementary question by Datuk Seri Hasan Malek (BNKuala Pilah), who wanted to know the action that could be taken against these illegal societies appointing VIPs as patrons.
Zahid also said the ministry was aware of non-governmental organisations masquerading as religious bodies but were involved in illegal activities.
“The government will not compromise if any of them is found to be acting beyond the limit,” he warned.
Noting that a total of 23 secret societies were identified by the government last year alone, he said: “We will eradicate these societies with the cooperation of enforcement agencies, especially the police.”