KUCHING: Drug traffickers are targeting Bidayuh youths, warns Transportation Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil.
Dr Jerip, whose state seat of Mambong lies in the Bidayuh heartland, said signs are that drug traffickers have been active in the Bidayuh areas of Serian, Bau, Padawan and Penrissen.
“And these drug peddlers have been successful, thus the growing number of young Bidayuhs found involved in drug abuse and becoming drug pushers themselves,” said Dr Jerip at a pre-Gawai dinner organised by the women’s bureau of Kampung Giam Asal at Kota Padawan Hall near here Saturday night.
He said in recent months the police had made several arrests of Bidayuh youths and that the situation was “grave”.
“Why are our youths so easily hooked to drug abuse, drug pushing and peddling?
“Our youths were never like this 10 years ago and surely not as bad as five years back.
“But unfortunately, with modern development coming to our villages, our new generations are not only facing various challenges and temptations, they are easily tempted and influenced.
“Parents need to do more to ensure that their children are not involved in immoral activities like taking drugs.
“Village development and security community, the local church group, the NGOs and the community at large must do something to stop this scourge,” said Dr Jerip.
He warned those indulging in drug activities that they are ruining their own future and giving their families and the community a bad image.
“We want our people to have high moral values and be respected and trusted by the other communities. But if they are involved in drugs this will destroy them and our community,” added Jerip.
On the role of women in the modern society, he said they are no longer just wives to their husbands and mothers to their children.
“Your roles and responsibilities are the same as the men’s,” he stressed.
He said the women’s bureau could also contribute to the communities and work together with men in bringing changes and development to their respective villages.
Dr Jerip went on to announce that the financial allocation for Kampung Git-Kampung Giam Asar road has been approved but that he is unsure when JKR would commence construction.
When completed, the road will open more economic opportunities for the people of the two villages in Penrissen, he added.
Dr Jerip later announced a RM20,000 grant for Kampung Giam Asar women’s bureau to carry out its activities.
Kampung Giam Asar headman Jacob Achoi Suim and the head of the women’s bureau Vicky Sab also spoke at the dinner.
