Tackling drug abuse among the United Nations "B40 households" - representing the poorest 40 percent of a country's population - is one of the steps towards achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to address income inequality.

This was one of the outcomes following a discussion between representatives from the Malaysian Civil Society Organisations-SDG Alliance and members of Jalan Hang Tuah Public Housing Project Rukun Tetangga today.

The housing project's Rukun Tetangga secretary Rajaratnam Marimuthu told Malaysiakini it was an open secret that the younger generation were more susceptible towards the temptation of making "easy money" through selling drugs.

"We as parents, we took care of ourselves...But there is no guarantee for our children.

"Even students can get involved (in peddling drugs)," said Rajaratnam who has been staying at the two-block building along Jalan Hang Tuah for close to 30 years.

In helping to address the problem, Rajaratnam said increased public scrutiny can help to put pressure on relevant authorities.

"You cannot hide that this is happening. If more people talk about it, maybe there will be more action," he said when asked for comments on criticisms made against a local movie, 'Pekak'.

The movie that debuted in the cinemas on Sept 1, featured a deaf drug pusher named Uda who is forced to sell drugs so that he can raise RM60,000, and pay for his impending cochlear implant surgery.

The main story takes place against the background of low-cost flats where Uda was seen openly dealing drugs from the parking lot.

Worrying trend

During the earlier discussion, participants agreed that the involvement of the younger generation in drug abuse was a worrying trend.

Preferring to remain anonymous, the residents revealed that there were both drug dealers and users living in the building.

This is despite authorities having previously raided the entire housing area and were stepping up monitoring efforts.

Sitting around in a circle, 14 residents participated in the discussion led by Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham) secretary-general Denison Jayasooria.

On the issue of drug dealing, they concurred with Rajaratnam that low-income and low education were two of the main contributing factors.

This is on top of drug abuse as means to escape the need to deal with daily pressures - not only to make a living but to live in such cramped conditions.

"Bila orang tension, rumah sempit...Turun bergaul dengan macam-macam orang...," one of them said, adding that the situation could lead to a continuous cycle of poverty.

Each block comprises of approximately 400 one or two bedroom units, originally rented out by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall for RM98 and RM124 respectively.

During the discussion, it was also revealed that an increasing number of households were paying a higher amount as their units are rented from its original owners who have since moved out.

According to Jayasooria, the discussion was held in conjunction with the one year anniversary of Malaysia joining the ranks of nations that collectively endorsed the 17 Sustainable Development Goals - targeted for implementation by 2030.

The theme for this year is reducing income inequality, particularly among UN'S B40 households and the country's top earners.