Kuching records most drug-related arrests in S’wak with 2,080 cases from Jan-May 2026, placed in red zone

Fatimah during the press conference after chairing a OSC meeting on drug and substance issues at Wisma Bapa Malaysia in Petra Jaya, Kuching, on June 12, 2026. Source: Ukas

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, June 12: A total of 5,675 enforcement operations related to drugs and substance abuse were carried out across Sarawak between January and May this year through integrated cooperation among various enforcement agencies, resulting in the arrest of 7,526 individuals.

According to Minister for Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, 350 individuals were arrested for drug and substance trafficking activities, while another 1,274 were detained for possession offences.

“In addition, 5,902 individuals tested positive in preliminary urine screening tests conducted during the operations,” she said during a press conference after chairing a meeting of the One-Stop Committee (OSC) on Addressing Drug and Substance Issues (MIDS) at Wisma Bapa Malaysia in Petra Jaya here today, as quoted by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).

Further breaking it down, she said that Kuching recorded the most arrests with 2,080 cases and was categorised as a red zone, followed by Miri (906), Bintulu (787), and Sibu (776).

In addition, she said that Sarawak’s approach to addressing drug and substance abuse is not limited to enforcement efforts aimed at disrupting supply chains, but also emphasises treatment, rehabilitation, and awareness programmes.

She explained that in addition to the National Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen), Sarawak now has 26 One-Stop Addiction Treatment Centres (OSCA) operating at health clinics throughout the State.

Meanwhile, Fatimah said the Sarawak government would continue discussions with the Ministry of Home Affairs to expand Puspen facilities in the State, citing the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes offered at the centre.

She noted that Sarawak currently has only one Puspen facility in Kuching, with limited capacity. Therefore, establishing additional rehabilitation centres, particularly in the northern and central regions of the State, is seen as crucial to expanding access to treatment and rehabilitation services and meeting growing demand.

She also revealed that the process of identifying suitable sites is currently underway, and efforts will continue to ensure that the state’s drug rehabilitation needs can be addressed more effectively. — DayakDaily