Billions in drug seizures reveal Malaysia’s growing role in global trafficking — and the deeper crisis beneath the surface
By Dr Mohd Safar Hasim.
Malaysia is no longer merely a corridor for drug trafficking — it is becoming a central node in a transnational narcotics network.
In the last two years alone, authorities have seized more than RM6.5 billion in drugs, smuggling proceeds, and illegal assets, underscoring the scale and entrenchment of the crisis.
In the first nine months of 2025, enforcement agencies confiscated RM1.96 billion worth of drugs, including over 83,000 kilograms of solid narcotics and 69,000 litres of liquid substances.
Kuala Lumpur alone saw drug seizures surge sixfold in the first quarter of 2025, reaching RM118 million — already surpassing the city’s total for all of 2024. These figures are not the hallmarks of a mere transit country. They point to Malaysia’s transformation into a logistics base, a processing centre, and a redistribution point for syndicates operating across Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
A Crisis in Plain Sight
The sheer volume of drugs intercepted reflects a growing challenge. Syndicates are adapting quickly, exploiting Malaysia’s strategic location, infrastructure, and porous borders to move narcotics with alarming efficiency. From methamphetamine labs hidden in industrial zones to heroin shipments disguised as cooking oil, traffickers are operating with increasing sophistication.
Malaysia’s ports, highways, and airports — once symbols of economic connectivity — are now being repurposed by criminal networks. The country’s long coastlines and fragmented border enforcement make it an attractive staging ground for syndicates seeking to avoid scrutiny in more tightly regulated jurisdictions.
But the crisis is not only external. Rising seizures also reflect growing domestic consumption. Urban centres like Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Penang are seeing increased drug use among youth and marginalised communities. The social cost — addiction, crime, and family breakdown — is mounting quietly beneath the surface.
Success or Symptom?
To be clear, Malaysia’s enforcement agencies have made significant strides. The Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID), customs units, and maritime patrols have disrupted major operations and arrested key figures. The billions in seizures are a testament to their vigilance and operational capacity.
Yet this success also signals something more troubling. Experts warn that drug seizures — no matter how large — may represent only a fraction of the actual trafficking volume. For every shipment intercepted, several may slip through undetected.
The rising value of seizures could reflect not just improved enforcement, but the expanding scale of syndicate operations. In other words, the drug economy is growing — and Malaysia is increasingly embedded within it.
Enforcement Success, Policy Failure?
The problem is structural. Border vulnerabilities remain acute, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, where maritime and jungle routes are difficult to monitor. Financial tracking of drug profits is weak, allowing syndicates to launder money through legitimate businesses. Rehabilitation programmes are underfunded and overstretched, leaving addicts with few options for recovery.
Malaysia is winning battles but risks losing the war. The syndicates are evolving faster than the system designed to stop them. Enforcement alone cannot stem the tide — it must be matched by policy reform, institutional coordination, and civic engagement.
Sabah and Sarawak: The New Frontlines
East Malaysia is increasingly at the centre of this crisis. Sabah’s long coastline and proximity to the southern Philippines make it a prime entry point for drugs from the Golden Triangle and beyond.
Sarawak’s river networks and border with Kalimantan offer similar vulnerabilities.
Local enforcement agencies are under-resourced, and coordination with federal units is inconsistent.
The result is a patchwork response to a highly organised threat. If Malaysia is serious about tackling the drug crisis, Sabah and Sarawak must be treated not as peripheral zones but as strategic frontlines.
This also ties into broader federalism debates. As Sabah pushes for its 40% revenue entitlement under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and Sarawak consolidates control over its oil and gas through Petros, the question arises: can East Malaysia also demand greater autonomy in policing and border security? If so, what mechanisms will ensure accountability and coordination with federal agencies?
Regional Implications
Malaysia’s transformation into a drug hub has consequences beyond its borders. Syndicates operating here are linked to networks in Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The drugs seized in Malaysia are often destined for Australia, Japan, and the Gulf states.
Yet ASEAN cooperation on narcotics remains fragmented. Intelligence sharing is limited, joint operations are rare, and legal frameworks differ widely.
Malaysia’s experience — painful as it is — could serve as a catalyst for a regional anti-drug strategy. But that would require political will, diplomatic finesse, and a commitment to long-term coordination.
What Must Be Done
The path forward is clear, if politically challenging.
First, Malaysia must reform its border enforcement. This means investing in maritime surveillance, drone patrols, and inter-agency coordination, especially in Sabah and Sarawak. The current system is reactive and siloed; it must become proactive and integrated.
Second, financial tracking must be strengthened. Bank Negara and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) need greater authority and resources to trace illicit financial flows. Syndicates rely on money laundering to sustain operations — cutting off their financial lifelines is essential.
Third, rehabilitation must be rebuilt. The government is reportedly considering additional funding for drug rehab programs. This is welcome, but it must be accompanied by modernisation, community outreach, and integration with mental health services.
Fourth, civic education must be prioritised. Schools, universities, and media platforms should be mobilised to build resilience against drug culture. Prevention is more cost-effective than cure, and education is the most powerful tool in prevention.
Finally, Malaysia must lead regionally. It should push for an ASEAN-wide intelligence network, harmonised legal frameworks, and joint enforcement operations. The drug crisis is transnational — the response must be too.
A Civic Crossroads
Malaysia is at a crossroads. The drug crisis is not just a policing issue — it is a civic, economic, and national security challenge. The billions in seizures are not a sign of success alone, but a warning: we are in the crosshairs of global syndicates.
If we do not act boldly — with reform, education, and regional leadership — Malaysia risks becoming not just a hub, but a host to a crisis that will hollow out its institutions and communities from within.
The time for piecemeal responses is over. What’s needed now is a whole-of-society strategy — one that treats the drug crisis not as a series of isolated incidents, but as a systemic threat to Malaysia’s future.
The views expressed here are entirely those of Dr Mohd Safar Hasim, a Council Member of the Malaysian Press Institute