Community must step up to tackle cyber crime, drug abuse, says Kota Samarahan MP
Rubiah (fourth left) and Mancha (third left) arrive for the townhall session. – Photo from Ukas
KOTA SAMARAHAN (June 14): The local community must take a more proactive role in addressing the rising threats of cyber crime and drug abuse among youths, said Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Rubiah Wang.
She emphasised that close cooperation between communities and law enforcement is vital to maintaining safety and security at the grassroots level.
'Today's crime is not like the past. Crime does not only occur in dark alleys, but also at the fingertips. Many are robbed via phone and social media,' she said in a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report.
Rubiah, who is also Kota Samarahan MP, was speaking at the 'Jom Berambeh Mencegah Jenayah' townhall session organised by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) Sarawak Contingent in collaboration with the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) and the Kota Samarahan District Office today.
She revealed that over 2,000 online fraud cases were reported in Sarawak last year, resulting in losses totalling RM36 million, with pensioners, women, and students among the most common victims.
On drug abuse, Rubiah noted that more than 6,000 addicts were recorded in Sarawak in 2023, particularly in suburban areas such as Kota Samarahan.
'Youths are not the cause of the problem. They are part of the solution,' she said, calling on young people to join programmes like Police Cadets, COP Friends, and community volunteer groups.
She also voiced support for technology-driven crime prevention tools such as the PDRM's Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) mobile application.
On a lighter note, Rubiah shared the origin story of Manchester City Football Club, which was founded in the 1880s as a means to curb youth crime in Manchester.
'If they can start with football, then why can't we in Samarahan form 'Tanjung Bundong City' or 'Belia Samarahan United',' she quipped.
Also present were Sarawak Police Commissioner, Dato Mancha Ata, and officials from the government and police force. cyber crimes drugs kota samarahan Rubiah Wang youth
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