Social ills spreading to Sarawak's Malay settlements

Social ills like juvenile delinquency, and drug and alcohol abuse have spread into Malay kampungs here, disrupting the traditionally peaceful and serene nature of life that was once the norm in these settlements, said a senior Sarawak Minister.

State Minister for Public Utilities Datuk Seri Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said these social problems spread from urban areas.

"Increasing number of problems have cropped up in the kampungs because of these social menaces. Unless we take steps to tackle these problems, they will spread even further.

"If these social ills get beyond the point of control, then there will be serious implications for our Malay communities," he said at the 50th anniversary dinner of the Miri Malay Association here on Saturday night.

Tengah, who is also State Second Minister for Planning and Resources Management, said Malay organisations must put in greater effort to help stop the social ills.

He said it was impossible for government authorities to handle the task alone.

Tengah, however, praised the association for having done well to uplift the economic standard of the Malays in Miri and in the state.