Watch out for overseas vacation offers, don't become a drug mule.

KUCHING, Oct 15: Sarawak Minister of Women, Child Development and Community Welfare, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, warned the public especially young people to be vigilant about offers to travel abroad accompanied by requests to bring belongings.

He said the incident was very worrying because it involved women and individuals from Sarawak, in addition to initial reports stating that they had no criminal record and were told to travel to Japan.

"People need to be cautious about the accommodation for holidays or traveling abroad, especially when asked to bring other people's belongings, so as not to become a victim as a drug donkey", he said.

He said this in a statement, today following the arrest of five Malaysians in Japan on October 10 last who were suspected of trying to smuggle five kilograms of cocaine hidden in their shoelaces.

Fatimah, who is also the Chairperson of the One Stop Committee (OSC) for Drug and Substance Management (MIDS), has advised people not to be easily seduced by promises of a decent wage without the risk of smuggling illegal substances abroad.

"Families are also urged to monitor the movement of family members who receive travel sponsorship from individuals or strangers", he said.

In an effort to curb drug and misuse activities, he said his ministry would expand awareness and advocacy programs through Social Development Randuu, Community Solidarity Randuu as well as the One Stop Committee (OSC) forum for Addressing Drug and Substance Issues in Sarawak.

"The programme will be implemented in workplaces, educational institutions and root communities across all districts with the cooperation of OSC members, community leaders, tribal heads as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to raise public awareness about the risk of being a drug mule", he said. - TVS