Maria (right) accepting a souvenir from the organiser (AADK)
KOTA KINABALU: Minister of Sabah Community Development and People’s Well-being (KPMKR), Datuk James Ratib suggested employers in the state to establish a Drug Free Workplace Committee (TEKAD) in their respective organizations.
“The State Government is very committed to ensuring that the issue of drug abuse can be dealt with holistically.
“Therefore, I would like to call on all employers to commit and take full care in creating a conducive and safe workplace.
“The excellence of the service and productivity of the organization depends entirely on the mutual commitment between employers and employees. I am confident that this committee can be mobilized immediately and become a protective factor for the organization and employees,” he said.
James hoped that employers would be able to be a protective factor for employees from getting caught up in the problem of drug abuse.
He said this while inaugurating the TEKAD Seminar Program organized by the Sabah National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) at Sky Hotel, Kota Kinabalu on Wednesday, through his speech text read by KPMKR Deputy Permanent Secretary, Maria David Edick.
James, who is also the Sugut Assemblyman, took the opportunity to express his appreciation and thanks to all the participants who participated in the program.
“I understand that a total of 100 participants from various Federal, State, Statutory and Private Government agencies made the program a success today. Well done!” he said.
Meanwhile, he said, the theme “Lebih Baik Cegah” presented by AADK reflects that the government is committed to combating drugs completely because the problem of drug addiction must never be taken lightly.
“More so if this problem spreads in our daily work environment leading to an unsafe workplace environment.
“I believe the Sabah State AADK has explained the impact on our productivity at work if this problem is not taken care of.
“Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that this problem is dealt with immediately. We as employers should be aware of the importance of the TEKAD Program,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, James added that Sabah State AADK’s partnership in imparting knowledge and skills on the importance of forming a committee that handles the problem of drug addiction in the workplace needs to be taken into account.
This, he said, is to ensure that employers can solve the issues and problems of employees involved in drug abuse through the establishment of TEKAD Committees in their respective organizations.
“The sharing from today’s speakers proves that various negative effects appear if we fail to deal with the problem of drug abuse properly.
“It will be a loss to the organization if this problem is not taken seriously because it involves the delivery of services and productivity that can affect the excellence of the organization.
“Flaws in case management can lead to the collapse of the organization,” he said while adding that the establishment of this committee brings many benefits and can help avoid various conflicts in the workplace.
James hopes that the collaboration of the program does not stop there because a conducive and safe workplace forms an excellent organization and produces high caliber employees.
“Let us together fulfill our responsibility in helping the government in fighting drugs,” he explained.