Malay/Muslim community leaders call on community to fight drug scourge

Mr Amrin Amin (centre, in tan jacket) and representatives from Malay Muslim Organisations posing in front of Sultan Mosque at the launch of the Dadah itu Haram anti-drug campaign, on April 30, 2017. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN
Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs Amrin Amin arriving at Sultan Mosque in a convoy of bikers as part of the launch for the Dadah itu Haram anti-drug campaign, on April 30, 2017. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN
Mr Amrin Amin sticking an anti-drug decal on a motorcycle outside Sultan Mosque on April 30, 2017. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN

SINGAPORE - Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs Amrin Amin said the drug problem has haunted the Malay/Muslim community for a long time and has to be stopped in this generation.

He was speaking in Malay on Sunday (April 30) at the launch of a new anti-drug campaign at the Sultan Mosque.

Figures released recently show Malays account for more than half of drug abusers arrested in 2016, up from 32 per cent in 2006.

Mr Amrin said people in the community have to show they care for their friends and families by making it their "responsibility to shield or free them from drug abuse".

He said: "Drugs are haram (forbidden in Islam). But the problem has haunted our community for a long time. Let's stop the problem in this generation. Don't allow it to grow."

He said last year, 1,700 Malays were arrested for drug related offences compared to 1,380 in 2010.

The number of new drug offenders also rose from about 590 in 2010, to nearly 730 last year (2016). And 20 per cent of new Malay drug offenders were below the age of 20.

Dr Mariam Aljunied, a volunteer and a member of the management committee at Muhammadiyah Welfare Home, described the drug problem as reaching "acute levels".

"At the Muhammadiyah (Welfare) Home, we see the impact of this. More than half of the boys who are sent to the home for care, come from families whereby either one or both parents are incarcerated because of drugs," she said.

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The Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (Pergas), Safinah Institute, Muhammadiyah Welfare Home and SimplyIslam renewed their anti-drug charge with the "Dadah Itu Haram" (Malay for Drugs are Forbidden) campaign yesterday.

Dr Mariam said besides spreading the anti-drug message to the public, the campaign will target at-risk groups like children of drug offenders and deal with those already facing drug addiction issues.

Parents who suspect their children of dabbling in drugs, should seek help in the early stages and not wait until it is too late.

She added: "Our key learning message to every one is that drugs destroy families. It doesn't just destroy individuals."

Pergas' president Mohamad Hasbi Hassan said true Muslims do not take drugs because drugs are "dirty" and "forbidden".

The campaign was launched with Mr Amrin arriving on the back of a Harley Davidson with 400 other motorcyclists. Members of the 40 motorcycle clubs represented later helped distribute campaign decals to the general public.

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