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PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has exposed the existence of a major drug smuggling cartel operating in Malaysia for over two decades, while also confirming a policy decision to increase parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak.
Speaking at a breakfast and media dialogue event in Kota Kinabalu, Anwar said he first became aware of the cartel shortly after assuming office and expressed frustration over a lack of prior action.
“I said, how? People have been talking about it. Then the container (of drugs) came in. The container left Port Klang and was seized in Australia. That made me furious. I said, don’t tell me you’ve done nothing,” he told reporters.
Anwar explained that following these revelations, he has taken a firm approach, meeting weekly with agency heads for one-hour sessions to ensure investigations were being pursued.
“What happened (from the reports)? One example is Port Klang. Hundreds of containers came in, disguised as e-waste. So, we said, raid them. How, when, and who? That is their work. I don’t know,” he said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the involvement of syndicates and politicians in these criminal operations, adding, “There was also criminal behaviour and action.
“People were even murdered by them.”
He commended national enforcement agencies for acting against the syndicates, noting that several arrests and prosecutions have since been carried out.
“Now, we have taken action. We have seized assets and charged several people in court,” he said.
Separately, Anwar addressed parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak, confirming that the unity government has adopted the principle of increasing their seats as official policy.
“There is no commitment to increasing the number to one-third representation for Sabah and Sarawak. However, we are committed to increasing the parliamentary seats. As a matter of policy, we must increase them. It is up to the Election Commission to decide the number of additional seats,” he said.
Anwar explained that the decision forms part of ongoing Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) negotiations.
“For Sabah and Sarawak, I have made the decision and informed the cabinet that we will increase the number of seats. I have instructed the state legal advisers in Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the Attorney-General, to resolve the matter, and the principle of increasing parliamentary seats has already become policy,” he added.
Currently, Sabah and Sarawak have 25 and 31 parliamentary seats respectively, and this adjustment marks the first Prime Ministerial commitment to enhancing their representation since 1963. - November 16, 2025
