In a written parliamentary reply, he said this was based on the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) statistics with data compiled from the police, health ministry and private rehabilitation centres.

“Viewed in terms of drug addiction and abuse cases per 100,000 residents, the five topmost states were Kelantan with 1,130 people, Terengganu with 974, Perlis with 965, Kedah with 898, Penang with 803 and Sarawak with 425,” he said.

Saifuddin was responding to Shafizan Kepli (GPS-Batang Lupar) who had asked about the statistics for drug abuse across the states.

The minister said 192,857 cases of drug addiction and abuse were recorded last year.

“The most cases of drug and substance abuse and addiction were recorded among the Malays at 145,877 people, followed by 14,935 Indians, 14,861 Chinese, 9,322 Sabahan natives, 5,530 Sarawakian natives and 2,322 (of other races),” he said.