KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 – The Home Ministry plans to set up a centralised agency that would handle matters concerning drug addiction and trafficking and implement follow-up action.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the agency would involve collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Royal Malaysian Customs, the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) and non-governmental organisations.
However, the formation of the centralised agency would reguire agreement from various sectors including the Health Ministry, Finance Ministry and the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Manpower Planning Unit (MAMPU), before being tabled at the weekly Cabinet meeting for approval, he said.
“I suggest that the relevant NGOs (on drug abuse) unite under one roof for coordination. Any activity should not be carried out separately,” he told reporters after visiting the 1Malaysia Cure & Care Clinic, Sungai Besi, here today.
Also present were his deputy, Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Home Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Abd Rahim Mohd Radzi and AADK Director-General Datuk Zuraidah Mohamed.
Ahmad Zahid said several countries had created such an agency which had proven to be effective.
– BERNAMA
