Cover image via Bernama
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has revealed that Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, and Kedah have the highest drug addiction rates in the country
In an interview with Bernama yesterday, 25 September, Zahid, who is also chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Eradication of Drugs (JKMD), highlighted that drug abuse in Malaysia is a cross-racial issue.
He revealed that the situation has reached a critical level, with the number of addicts in Malaysia rising by 32.5% in 2024 compared to the previous year.
The figures show a sharp increase from 436 addicts per 100,000 people in 2023 to 586 in 2024.
For the first half of 2025, the rate stands at 396 addicts per 100,000 people.
To strengthen accountability in enforcement, rehabilitation, and prevention, Zahid said the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) is drafting a 2026–2030 strategic plan with annual KPIs set by the Home Ministry
He added that enforcement must also adopt more creative approaches, especially in detecting drug smuggling disguised as online purchases and monitoring new distribution trends.
"Sometimes the packages are disguised to look like an ordinary online purchase, but they contain drugs. They are highly creative in this regard, and I believe our enforcement and rehabilitation agencies have to be even more creative than they are," he said.
Recalling his tenure as Home Minister, Zahid noted the prison population was cut from 78,000 to 42,000 through retraining programmes that generated RM35 million in revenue and reduced recidivism from 48% to 2.6%.
He stressed that prisons should serve as correctional centres, proving that skills training and economic opportunities can effectively tackle drugs and crime.
