Saifuddin Nasution warns poverty and drugs, not racial fears, are Malays’ real enemies

Saifuddin Nasution warns poverty and drugs, not racial fears, are Malays’ real enemies



PKR vice‑president Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says Malays face threats from poverty and drug abuse, not the presence of other races. — Picture via Facebook/Saifuddin Nasution Ismail


Summary

• In a speech at the PKR National Congress 2026, PKR vice-president Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail asserted that poverty and drug addiction, rather than the presence of other races, are the real threats to the Malay community in Malaysia.
• He emphasized that Malay-majority states like Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu face alarming rates of drug addiction, with a significant impact on youths aged 15 to 39.
• Saifuddin highlighted that focusing on regional development and job opportunities is vital to address these pressing issues affecting the Malay population.

First Published: Sunday, 16 Aug 2026 6:39 PM MYT


MELAKA, Aug 16 — The position of Malays in the country is not threatened by the existence of other races, but by poverty and social problems such as drug addiction, said Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The Home Minister said the real threat to the Malays is when they continue to be plagued by poverty and serious drug addiction.


“I want to state that Malays and Muslims are not under threat because of other races in this country. Malays are not under threat because there are Chinese in this country. Malays are not under threat because there are Indians in this country.


“Malays are threatened if they are poor. Malays are under threat if they are the ones most involved in drug-related problems... that is the threat to the Malays,” said Saifuddin Nasution, who is currently performing the duties of PKR’s deputy president.


He said this in his winding-up speech at the PKR National Congress 2026 at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh here today.


Citing data from the Ministry of Health and National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), Saifuddin Nasution said that, on average, about 560 out of every 100,000 people are involved in drug addiction.

However, he pointed out that the figures showed a worrying trend in several Malay-majority states, which recorded rates exceeding 1,000 per 100,000 people.


“When I cite figures from Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, in these states more than 1,000 per 100,000 people (are involved in drug addiction).

“This means that the biggest threat to the Malays is because Malay youths become involved in drugs. Whether by chance or not, the highest number is in the Malay (majority) states,” he said.

He said those aged between 15 and 39 recorded the highest involvement in the unhealthy activity, especially among those with an education level of up to the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).

“When we do not focus on developing the states, you only bring up DAP, DAP, DAP, (but) you do not take care of the states, job opportunities do not exist, (and) young people are involved in drugs.

“If you ask me how Malays are threatened, Malays becoming involved in drugs is a threat to the Malay community,” he added. — Bernama