| Azlan Othman |
“WE WANT the Sultanate to be drug-free and we have zero tolerance to drugs,” said President of the National Anti-Drug Association (BASMIDA), Datin Hajah Masni binti Haji Mohd Ali.
“It is now easy for people to spread through the social media teachings that are against Islam like use of marijuana. We are against it, as through this more people will be addicted to drugs. We want to prevent the harm,” Datin Hajah Masni added, while announcing the association’s upcoming seminar entitled ‘Prevention of Misuse of Drugs through Decent Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) Values’, at a press briefing yesterday.
She also urged members of the public to be wary of foreign movements that use social media to promote legalisation of marijuana.
Statistics from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has revealed that over 600 drug-related arrests were made last year. Another worrying trend is relapse among ex-drug offenders.
Datin Hajah Masni added that relapse among offenders occur due to weak faith, peer influence, depression and unemployment.
Talking about the seminar, she said, “As an association, we want to empower the younger generation on decent and perfect norms, Bruneian and MIB values and way of life.
“It is also to highlight the importance of developing our knowledge and awareness, as frequently stressed by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, to uphold and support the monarch’s titahs and government policies, through NCB and for BASMIDA.”
Datin Hajah Masni binti Haji Mohd Ali (3rd right), President of the National Anti-Drug Association (BASMIDA) along with BASMIDA members during the press briefing. – AZLAN OTHMAN
The seminar, which will be held at The Empire Hotel & Country Club on November 1, is aimed at reiterating the association’s teachings on how to prevent the misuse of drugs and upholding the importance of strengthening and practising the virtuous values of MIB philosophy, among others.
The registration fee is $30 for participants from government ministries, departments, private sector and NGOs.
BASMIDA volunteers have graciously sponsored students to attend the one-day seminar which is expected to attract some 250 participants, Datin Hajah Masni said.
Malaysian Anti-Drug Association (PEMADAM) members from Miri, Limbang and Bintulu are also invited to the seminar, along with ‘Friends Under Supervision’.
Three local speakers will be leading the seminar.
Dr Haji Muhammad Hadi bin Muhammad Melayong, Senior Special Duties Officer at MIB Supreme Council, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), will touch on ‘MIB values’; Dr Lilly Suzana binti Haji Shamsu, Dean of Usuluddin Faculty at the Univesiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), will talk about ‘Strong Belief to Tackle Misuse of Drugs’; and Ustazah Pengiran Norhayati binti Pengiran Haji Kasharan will speak on ‘Faith, Repentence and Piety in Prevention of the Misuse of Drugs’.
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