Johor has second highest number of drug addicts

The state has the second highest number of drug addicts in the country, up from fourth spot last year.

Penang has the most number of addicts, while Federal Territory takes third spot.

State National Anti-Drug Agency rehabilitation assistant director Abbas Sudar said this did not mean that the drug addiction problem was worsening in the state, as statistics show that the trend was on the decline.

“There has been a decrease in the number of addicts nationwide and also in Johor. But some states have a higher rate of decline, which pushed Johor up the ranking,” he said.

“About half of the addicts detected are in Johor Baru,” he said yesterday.

Abbas added that one of the challenges faced by the agency was the high number of relapse cases.

“After going to Pusat Serenti and getting rehabilitated, they are physically okay and the body is free from drugs,” he said.

“But their minds are trapped. They have the urge to take drugs again, thus causing a relapse.”

Abbas said it was important that society worked closely with the agency to tackle the issue more efficiently.

Responding to the call is the Johor Baru Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, which will be organising an anti-drug exhibition and talk on Dec 29 and 30.

“It will be held at the Taman Ungku Tun Aminah community hall,” said its president Datuk Soh Poh Sheng.

Govt must pay RM380mil if toll not raised

The Government will have to fork out a total of RM380mil to compensate toll concessionaire companies next year if the Cabinet decides not to increase toll rates.

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said although the Cabinet had not decided on the issue, the ministry had worked out the amount of compensation to toll concessionaire companies.

Except for the Penang Bridge where the toll rate is scheduled to be revised on Oct 1, seven expressway operators are due to review their rates on Jan 1.

The Government would have to compensate Ampang-Ulu Kelang Elevated Highways RM28mil, North-South Expressway (central region) RM18mil, Seremban-Port Dickson RM178mil, Kulim-Butterworth Expressway RM10mil, Second Link to Singapore RM6mil, Sprint Highway RM34mil, NKVE RM9mil and Penang Bridge RM22mil, he said.

The Government, having increased toll charges of the Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP) from RM1 to RM1.60 instead of RM2.10, would have to pay Litrak, the operator of LDP, RM75mil.

Samy Vellu said this in his reply to Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) while answering queries at the committee stage of the Supply Bill 2008.

He added that the Government was still finding ways to reduce the toll charges.

Replying to Salahuddin Ayob (PAS-Kubang Kerian), Samy Vellu said the cost to build the palace complex to replace Istana Negara was RM450mil with another RM200mil to build the quarters, security features, multi-level underground car park and others.

He said the cost of the new palace complex was not RM1bil as stated by Salahuddin.

“The Government has decided that the cost to build the new palace complex be capped at RM650mil and it cannot be more than that,” he added.