Pemadam Sarawak seeks RM1 mln boost to intensify drug prevention drive

KUCHING (Jan 27): The Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam) Sarawak has agreed to seek approval for an increase in its annual allocation to RM1 million.

Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the proposal was agreed upon during the Pemadam Sarawak Coordination Meeting 2026 held earlier.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting on Monday, Abdul Karim said the current allocation―although increased from RM150,000 previously to RM650,000―remains insufficient to meet rising operational demands.

“With the expansion of districts, higher office operating costs, and the implementation of more than 90 programmes annually, the existing allocation is no longer adequate to support Pemadam Sarawak’s growing responsibilities,” he said.

He added that the application for the additional allocation would be submitted to the Sarawak Cabinet for consideration.

“We hope the State Cabinet will give due consideration and approve this request, as it is clear that the programmes conducted by Pemadam Sarawak bring significant benefits to the community,” he said.

Abdul Karim stressed that stronger financial support would enable Pemadam Sarawak to expand its outreach programmes, strengthen coordination at the district level, and intensify efforts to curb drug abuse across the state.

On upcoming initiatives, he said Pemadam Sarawak will continue implementing awareness programmes in residential areas and schools identified as having a history of drug-related cases.

“Monitoring through urine tests in schools has shown a declining trend in positive cases for 2023, 2024 and 2025,” he added.

Also present were Pemadam Sarawak deputy chairwoman Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, who is also Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, State-Federal Relations and MA63); Pemadam Sarawak executive secretary Munawar Ismail; and Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) director Datuk Georgina Apphia Ngau.