PETALING JAYA, Feb 27 — Drug syndicates now appear to be targeting the country’s entertainment industry which is deemed an attractive market, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.
He said police were aware about this as they continued to focus on combating drug trafficking while the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) dealt with efforts to tackle drug abuse.
“We do (conduct checks) in the entertainment industry, but it would be better to address the problem through education (and prevention) rather than enforcement,” he told reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between AADK and Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd (MAG) here today.
A number of Malaysian entertainers have been charged locally and abroad with various drug offences.
Nur Jazlan further said the authorities were looking at the possibility of using hair samples to detect long-term drug abuse.
To a question, the deputy minister said there was no need for potential candidates to undergo drug screening ahead of the coming general election.
Meanwhile, MAG chief executive officer Izham Ismail said the group this year further affirmed its commitment towards its Zero Tolerance Policy on the consumption, possession and distribution of drug and alcohol at the workplace.
The MoU with AADK, among others, would boost awareness of the dangers of drug abuse among personnel of MAG and its subsidiaries such as Malaysia Airlines, MAB Kargo, MASwings, MAB Academy, Firefly and AeroDarat Services.
Izham inked the MoU for MAG while AADK was represented by its director-general Datuk Dr Abdul Halim Mohd Hussin. — Bernama
