Kuala lumpur: The Home Ministry (KDN) has expressed serious concern over the growing threat posed by the trafficking and abuse of synthetic drugs, particularly methamphetamine, psychoactive pills known as "piu-piu," and fentanyl, which have recently been detected in the local market. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said these emerging drugs have become a major concern due to their high risk of addiction, fatal overdoses, and their link to rising crime and social problems.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, between 2023 and June 2026, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) recorded 238,704 arrests nationwide for various synthetic drug-related offences. "To address this issue, PDRM has intensified operations, including Op Tapis and Op Tapis Khas, across urban, rural and remote areas in collaboration with agencies such as the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM). Modern technologies, including drones and surveillance cameras, are also being fully utilised to detect and curb drug trafficking activities," he said in a written parliamentary reply posted on the Dewan Rakyat website on Thursday.
He was responding to a question from Mohamad Shafizan Kepli (GPS-Batang Lupar), who wanted to know the ministry's measures to combat the distribution and abuse of synthetic drugs, including fentanyl and "piu-piu," as well as efforts to tackle the problem in rural and remote areas of Sarawak. Saifuddin Nasution said strict enforcement continues under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and other relevant legislation.
He added that the government is also considering amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 to include newly emerging synthetic drugs, or New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), under the Act's schedules. "Besides enforcement, preventive measures through a community policing approach are also being strengthened. Between 2023 and June 2026, a total of 1,144 drug prevention programmes were carried out nationwide to raise public awareness," he said.
Touching on the situation in Sarawak, Saifuddin Nasution said 7,097 individuals were arrested between Jan 1 and June 7 this year, comprising 342 drug traffickers, 1,314 individuals found in possession of drugs, and 5,441 drug users. During the same period, authorities seized 418.01 kilogrammes of drugs valued at RM53.73 million, while 13 individuals were detained under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.
He said action was also taken against 131 hardcore drug addicts under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, while syndicate assets worth RM1.95 million were confiscated. Saifuddin Nasution added that forensic laboratory capabilities are being continuously enhanced to profile emerging trends involving new synthetic drugs, including fentanyl analogues and synthetic opioids, enabling faster detection and more effective enforcement action.