Synthetic Drugs Account for 70pc of Malaysia’s Drug Abuse Cases as Fentanyl Emerges
KUALA LUMPUR: Synthetic drugs now account for about 70 per cent of all drug abuse cases in Malaysia, with methamphetamine, commonly known as syabu, remaining the most widely abused substance as authorities begin detecting the presence of fentanyl, one of the world’s deadliest synthetic opioids.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said drug abuse continues to pose a serious challenge to the country, with official statistics showing 145,526 cases recorded in 2023 before rising sharply to 192,857 cases last year.
He said the majority of those cases involved synthetic drugs, particularly Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS), which have become increasingly popular among users.
“Synthetic drugs are currently the most widely abused substances in the country and account for around 70 per cent of all drug abuse cases.
“Among them, ATS, especially methamphetamine or syabu, remains the dominant drug with a worrying upward trend,” he said during Ministers’ Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a question from Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) on the number of synthetic drug addiction cases since 2023 and the government’s strategy to combat the growing use of synthetic drugs, including fentanyl.
Saifuddin said data collected from the Health Ministry, National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), rehabilitation centres and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) revealed that the east coast states remain among the hardest-hit regions.
According to him, drug consumption patterns have shifted significantly in recent years, with traditional drugs such as heroin, cannabis and morphine gradually being replaced by synthetic substances.
“Based on our mapping exercise, the east coast corridor is facing a more severe situation.
“If in the past heroin and cannabis dominated, today users are increasingly turning to ATS, particularly syabu,” he said.
Saifuddin also disclosed that authorities have recently detected fentanyl during enforcement operations targeting adulterated vape products.
He warned that fentanyl is far more dangerous than many conventional drugs because of its extreme potency.
“We discovered fentanyl during operations involving vape products mixed with prohibited substances.
“This drug is many times more potent than morphine and even a small amount can be fatal,” he said.
The minister said fentanyl has now been added to Malaysia’s list of prohibited substances through amendments to the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act and the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The move enables authorities to take enforcement action against individuals found possessing, trafficking or abusing the substance.
However, Saifuddin stressed that fentanyl has yet to become a major problem in Malaysia compared with other synthetic drugs, although authorities are closely monitoring its presence.
“At this stage, fentanyl cases are not yet widespread, but its emergence is something we take very seriously,” he said.
Since January this year, Malaysia has recorded around 192,000 drug abuse cases involving all types of narcotics, equivalent to about 560 cases for every 100,000 people.
More alarmingly, nearly 75 per cent of the cases involve individuals aged between 15 and 39.
Saifuddin said Pendang in Kedah recorded the highest drug abuse rate at district level, followed by Kuala Krai, while Bachok, Besut and Mersing also ranked among the most affected areas.
The impact of drug abuse is also evident in the country’s prisons.
According to the minister, around 70 per cent of inmates nationwide are linked to drug-related offences, either as convicted prisoners or remand detainees.
“In some prisons, such as Machang, almost all inmates are involved in drug-related cases,” he said.
To address the issue, Saifuddin said AADK has adopted multiple strategies including community-based prevention programmes, awareness campaigns in educational institutions, and intervention programmes involving families and workplaces.
Enforcement efforts have also been intensified through closer cooperation between AADK, PDRM and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.
Responding to concerns over whether Malaysia has become a transit hub or distribution centre for drugs, Saifuddin said advances in technology and online marketplaces have created new challenges for enforcement agencies.
“Digital platforms today do not fully regulate what is being bought and sold.
“This has become another major challenge in our fight against drug abuse and trafficking,” he said.
