LETTER | I refer to the ongoing conversation and disputes on the threat of drugs and fear that this abuse could turn Malaysia into another Colombia.

As a lead consumerist and human rights advocate who has addressed these issues from the late 80s, I am not the least surprised neither shocked on the current conversations revolving around government leakages between RM3 billion and RM5 billion a year through smuggling and the drug threat.

Those of us familiar at ground zero conditions would concur that it is rather simplistic to just cite smuggling activities, negligence and inadequate equipment as reasons for this predicament as one senior civil servant attempted to allude to.

More so when the real reasons are that of corruption and incompetence by those expected to monitor and protect entry, exit and border areas.

And though multi-million ringgit “new state of the art technology” is helpful, it is still meaningless, ineffective, if the real issues staring at our faces and are denied in the name of political expediency.

This is why the majority of Malaysians were excited when Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador did not hide nor mince his words when addressing the "clear and present danger" that is brought to the nation in all form of smuggling and distribution.

The IGP stated the facts without fear or favour. Neither did he deny that though his officers have intensified the crackdown on drugs, the levels of substance abuse have reached "breaking point."

To someone like me, having been in the field for over 40 years, this is the first time a sitting IGP has publicly acknowledged that drug abuse in this country is at breaking point!

Worse, if not tackled with new innovations and progressive methods, its impact will be on par with the Colombian scenarios. It is shocking to some but that is the reality and truth staring at us.

I am also glad that the IGP highlighted that in the last two months, the Narcotic Crimes Investigation Department has redoubled its efforts to crack down on drugs, gambling and vice with successful raids.

And that these raids have even resulted in police officers being hauled up.  If this is not honesty and transparency, I wonder what is. But the IGP is also correct that it is time we initiated a new approach, to combat drug smuggling, its marketing and distribution which are a multi-billion ringgit operations.

As a lawyer, I am aware that laws, alone are not adequate to address the problem. Drug smuggling, marketing and distribution is an international activity, with international players, stakeholders, financiers, cartels and foot soldiers.

It is time that we address this international menace by a strategic approach where it becomes a joint international approach and response where the security apparatus and intelligence of perhaps Asean and Apec coordinate, exchange intelligence, data, assets and initiate joint operations on land, sky and sea.

That the respective state departments and attorneys-general chambers will initiate joint responses to blacklist players and freeze proceeds from these ill-gotten gains even if they are deposited in banks of international repute, conduit companies or even NGOs.

At ground zero, we may have to go back to what we initiated in the 70s to 90s, which was highly successful, when members of the public were urged to work closely as "eyes and ears" of the security apparatus to combat this menace in the nation’s interests.

The IGP has been transparent, accountable and forthright. On our part, the least we can do is to assist him and our men in blue in this war against drugs.

The writer is president, Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam (Cassa).  

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.