(Kuching, 23rd) Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah tated that deploying more scanners and drug-sniffing dogs at the immigration department will greatly benefit the fight against drug and substance trafficking in Sarawak.
As the Minister of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development of Sarawak, she mentioned that since drugs are mostly smuggled into the state via air transport and parcel services, such efforts by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department are timely.
"In this regard, the Sarawak government, through the One-Stop Committee on the Handling of Drugs and Substance Issues (OSC MIDS), welcomes the use of drug-sniffing dogs and scanners by Customs at international entry points to address the threat, particularly that of drug smuggling."
Fatimah Abdullah.stated this in a press release issued yesterday.
She pointed out that Customs will deploy an additional 66 scanners and 20 drug-sniffing dogs at entry points across Malaysia, aimed at strengthening law enforcement activities against drug smuggling.
According to her, OSC MIDS previously collaborated with Sarawak Customs to purchase four AI scanners, three dogs for the K9 Narcotics Detection Dog Team (APD), two APD vehicles, and construct an APD housing facility, with a special fund of RM 3 million provided by the state government.
She said these items were symbolically handed over to Sarawak Customs located in Miri on June 5 last year.
"The contribution from the Sarawak government demonstrates Sarawak's commitment to curbing drug and substance trafficking."
Fatimah Abdullah.also stated that since 2018, the department has allocated RM 10.75 million through OSC MIDS to support various anti-drug initiatives, including integrated enforcement actions, preventive measures, community rehabilitation, and outreach programs.
She added that an additional RM 5.38 million was used to procure tactical equipment for Sarawak Customs, the Sarawak Narcotics Crime Investigation Department, the state health department, and the Sarawak National Anti-Drug Agency.
"With all commitments made, it is hoped that we can achieve more success in drug enforcement, thereby reducing the supply and demand for drugs."