Kota Kinabalu: The allegation that drugs are sold like “pisang goring” (banana fritters) in Sabah is an exaggerated statement, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun.
He said the Sabah police contingent arrested more drug-related offenders in the first six months this year compared to the same period last year.
“We are committed to taking serious action against anyone involved in drugs and will continue our relentless efforts,” he told a press conference at the Sabah Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK), here, Tuesday.
Jauteh said this can be verified through statistics from the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (JSJN) which shows that for the first six months this year, a total of 8,993 drug offenders were arrested in the State.
“Out of the number, 88 per cent have been charged in court.
“We also seized 85kg of drugs, with syabu contributing the most at approximately 71kg.
“This year, we also intercepted a new type of syabu in liquid form, totalling 1.4kg,” he added.
Jauteh also said the total number of arrests for drug possession was 2,588 people, while 5,766 people tested positive for drug use.
“Of this figure, 20 individuals have been charged in court or faced action under the Special Preventive Measures.
“In addition, 367 people have been charged under Section 39c of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which penalises repeat drug offenders more than three times,” he said.
During a recent parliamentary session, Kinabatangan Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin claimed the presence of many syabu addicts in Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu.
He alleged that syabu is as easily available as banana fritters throughout Sabah, selling for as little as RM30, and questioned the effectiveness of enforcement authorities in tackling the issue.
Jauteh said similar remarks had been made in 2021.
“The comparison to bananas fritters has been mentioned twice in Sabah — once in 2021 and again in this parliamentary session.”
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