BENTONG, 5 October 2026 (The Capital Post) – The redeveloped Pusat Pemulihan Penagihan Narkotik (PUSPEN) Karak in Pahang can now accommodate up to 500 residents at a time, making it the largest PUSPEN facility in Malaysia by capacity.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution bin Ismail attended the project handover ceremony today, which was officiated by Works Minister Dato’ Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
The redevelopment involved replacing and upgrading ageing facilities while providing more modern, safe, comfortable and conducive infrastructure to support comprehensive drug treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
The upgraded centre includes 10 hostel blocks, a dining hall, surau, therapy rooms, vocational and skills training workshops, as well as other supporting facilities designed for modern and holistic rehabilitation programmes.
The vocational and skills training component is intended to help clients gain knowledge, improve practical skills and rebuild their confidence before returning to their families and communities.
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The project began on 6 August 2021 but experienced serious delays and was classified as a sick project in 2024. Following close monitoring and continued follow-up action by the relevant authorities, it was fully completed on 27 July 2026.
Also present were Home Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Security) Dato’ Haji Abdul Halim bin Haji Abdul Rahman, National Anti-Drugs Agency Malaysia (AADK) Director-General Dato’ Ruslin bin Jusoh, as well as heads of departments and agencies.
According to a post on the official Facebook page of Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN), the upgraded PUSPEN Karak reflects continued efforts by the government, KDN and AADK to provide a more effective, humane and comprehensive rehabilitation environment for clients – The Capital Post
