A total of 141 minors underwent rehabilitation at AADK’s PUSPEN centres in 2025, alongside academic, skills and employment programmes.
PETALING JAYA: A total of 141 individuals below the age of 18 received treatment and rehabilitation at the National Anti-Drug Agency’s (AADK) Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centres (PUSPEN) nationwide in 2025.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution said the figure represented only 1.5% of the 9,361 clients who underwent treatment and rehabilitation at PUSPEN last year, with the majority comprising adults aged 18 and above, totalling 9,220 people (98.5%).
He said that of the 141 underage clients, 31 were institutional clients, comprising 28 males and three females, while the remaining 110 were voluntary clients, consisting of 104 males and six females.
“AADK provides academic education and skills training programmes as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation approach to help young clients develop their potential, acquire the necessary skills, and prepare for reintegration into society.
“For academic education, clients follow core subjects focused on preparing them for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.
“The subjects offered include Bahasa Melayu, English, Mathematics, Science, History, and Islamic Education or Moral Education,” he said in a written parliamentary reply to Datuk Mumtaz Md Nawi (PN-Tumpat), who asked about the number of male and female residents below the age of 18 placed at PUSPEN nationwide, the academic and skills training programmes provided, and the support system available upon their return to society.
Saifuddin said clients were also guided to pursue further education based on their academic performance, interests, and potential.
To improve their employability, he said AADK implemented Modular Skills Training based on the National Occupational Skills Standard (NOSS), which includes both theoretical and practical components through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) approach.
The programme is conducted in collaboration with TVET institutions such as GIATMARA, Community Colleges (Kolej Komuniti), Industrial Training Institutes (ILP), and National Youth Skills Institutes (IKTBN).
“Between 2020 and 2025, a total of 3,143 clients from 10 PUSPEN centres successfully obtained certification through the Modular Skills Training programme,” he said.
For 2026, Saifuddin said AADK is targeting 1,075 clients to participate in certification programmes under the initiative.
He added that AADK also implemented the Pre-Employment Placement Programme for institutional clients to prepare them for entering the workforce by enhancing their job skills, personal development, and workplace adaptability.
“AADK has also focused on helping clients secure employment within the community, with 243,380 clients successfully gaining employment between 2020 and 2025.
“This supports the rehabilitation agenda and the successful reintegration of clients into society,” he said.
