KUCHING: The Sarawak government has voiced its support for a proposal by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) to tighten sender data requirements for all parcels sent from Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah to Sarawak.

The measure aims to bolster investigations and curb the smuggling of illicit drugs into the state.

Sarawak’s Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, stated that current weaknesses in sender data - including the use of false addresses and aliases - frequently undermine investigations.

This makes it difficult for the authorities to establish a legal link between the actual sender and the recipient of packages containing narcotics.

“When sender data is incomplete or inaccurate, it can distort the investigation and ultimately jeopardise prosecutions in court.

“Therefore, PEMADAM Sarawak fully supports the Customs proposal that every parcel delivery must require valid, up-to-date sender data based on official personal identification,” he said during a press conference.

The Minister spoke after chairing the first Sarawak State Malaysian Anti-Drug Association (PEMADAM) Coordinating Committee Meeting of 2026 on Monday.

The session involved various federal and state agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and 45 District Officers acting as District PEMADAM Chairmen.

Dato Sri Abdul Karim, who also serves as the Chairman of PEMADAM Sarawak, clarified that the organisation’s role focuses on education and community awareness.

This distinguishes it from the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) and the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), which handle enforcement.

“PEMADAM’s role is to provide awareness and educate the community to reject drugs. Our programmes are largely focused on schools, higher education institutions, youth, and local communities,” he explained.

Throughout 2025, PEMADAM Sarawak implemented 92 awareness programmes across the state.

These were conducted in collaboration with PDRM, JKDM, the Education Department, Jabatan Agama Islam Sarawak, and the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR), despite facing budget constraints.

In a related development, the meeting unanimously agreed to propose doubling Sarawak PEMADAM’s annual allocation from RM500,000 to RM1 million.

This increase would facilitate more comprehensive prevention programmes.

“With the addition of new districts and the high commitment shown by District Officers, PEMADAM’s financial requirements are growing. As such, this proposal will be tabled at the State Cabinet level for further consideration,” he said.

He added that while drug issues in Sarawak remain under control and are among the lowest in Malaysia, prevention efforts must be continuously strengthened to ensure the community remains resilient against the drug menace.

Also in attendance were the Vice President of PEMADAM Sarawak, Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, along with representatives from AADK, the Health Department, PDRM, and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.-UKASnews

Reporter: Eisner Nala
Translator: Ryan Lim
Photographer: George S. Embie