Keep Up with the New Work Trend, Not Traditional – NADA DG
KOTA KINABALU – Personnel across every tier of the National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA) must actively adapt to modern methodologies and align their day-to-day operations with the modern era. Speaking at a strategic regional gathering, NADA Director General Sutekno Ahmad Belon emphasized that moving forward requires every officer to embrace the new work trend rather than relying on outdated, traditional practices that no longer match the complexities of contemporary drug rehabilitation.
Addressing attendees at the Competence Enhancement Workshop for the Heads of Treatment and Rehabilitation Units for the Sabah and Sarawak Zones, Mr. Sutekno underscored the critical need for precision and consistency across the agency’s three core functional areas: prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, and enforcement.
According to the Director General, achieving long-term rehabilitation success depends on whether foundational operating procedures are executed correctly from the grassroots level up.
Embracing the New Work Trend in Treatment and Rehabilitation
The workshop served as an interactive platform designed to evaluate and recalibrate operational effectiveness. Mr. Sutekno explained that self-reflection and objective evaluation are necessary to determine whether past approaches to treatment and rehabilitation programs remain viable.
Right now, everyone has completed their assigned tasks, so we are using this workshop to reflect on whether our previous practices in implementing treatment and rehabilitation programmes were truly effective or not, he remarked during the opening ceremony.
He highlighted that when field operations match modern institutional standards, it demonstrates that evidence-based methodologies are practical, measurable, and impactful. Keeping pace with the new work trend means shifting away from legacy habits and intuitive decision-making, replacing them with structured, scientifically backed interventions tailored to clients’ specific recovery journeys.
Standardizing SOPs and Eliminating Guesswork
A primary objective of the Kota Kinabalu workshop was to bridge any operational disconnect between high-level policy and frontline execution. Mr. Sutekno expressed clear concern regarding personnel who carry out daily duties without an adequate understanding of established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
We want to avoid having anyone carry out their duties without fully knowing the proper methods or established Standard Operating Procedures, whether they are relying on traditional practices or unverified routines, he explained.
To address this challenge, the agency is prioritizing direct exposure and continuous professional development. By systematically upskilling unit heads and grassroots officers, NADA aims to ensure that no officer is left behind as operational standards evolve. Clear adherence to SOPs guarantees uniform service delivery across rehabilitation facilities throughout Malaysia, particularly in regional centers across Sabah and Sarawak.
Collaborative Leadership Driving Agency-Wide Transformation
The high-level engagement at the workshop reflected NADA’s unified commitment to organizational reform. Prominent agency leaders joined the Director General, underscoring the collective responsibility required to modernize treatment ecosystems.
Key figures in attendance included:
Puan Siti Mariam Mursidan, Director of NADA’s Treatment, Medication, and Rehabilitation Division
Puan Nani Sikin, Sabah State NADA Director
Tuan MD Razif Wan, Federal Territories NADA Director
Puan Roswati Apin, Director of the Papar Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Center (PUSPEN)
The presence of institutional leaders from diverse jurisdictions reinforced the shared mission to harmonize standards between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak. Facilities such as PUSPEN Papar serve as critical testing grounds for modern intervention models, making competency enhancements for facility leadership essential to national drug eradication goals.
Building a Future-Ready Anti-Drug Workforce
As substance abuse dynamics shift globally, enforcement and rehabilitation bodies must continuously upgrade their operational playbooks. NADA’s drive toward modernized workflows ensures that staff are not merely reacting to drug trends, but are proactively equipped with contemporary behavioral, psychological, and clinical tools.
By establishing rigorous evaluation mechanisms and fostering continuous learning, the National Anti-Drugs Agency is setting a progressive benchmark for public service delivery. Aligning institutional culture with the new work trend ensures that rehabilitation programs remain compassionate, scientifically grounded, and ultimately effective in reintegrating recovered individuals back into society.
