New Chairman Kunal Naik Leads Urgent Strategy Session To Reform NADC

The newly appointed chairman of the National Agency for Drugs Control (NADC), Kunal Naik, has pledged that “tangible results” will be evidenced as early as next month following an urgent review of the institution’s operations.

In his first working session this Saturday, 20 December, Mr Naik described a comprehensive assessment of the agency as a “true eye-opener.”

The meeting, held alongside Chief Executive Officer Dr Faizal Sulliman, was convened to identify structural bottlenecks and chart a new course for the organisation’s future.

Masterplan 2025–2029

Central to the new leadership’s vision is the finalisation of the National Drug Control Masterplan 2025–2029.

Developed in partnership with various ministries and institutional stakeholders, the document will serve as the nation’s strategic blueprint. Key pillars of the plan include:

• Law Enforcement: Strengthening strategies to combat trafficking.
• Public Health: Addressing critical issues surrounding HIV.
• National Guidance: Defining the overarching direction for drug control policy.

The Masterplan is set to be submitted to the National Drug Control Commission for final approval.

Transition of Leadership

Mr Naik, a specialist in addictology, was appointed as Part-Time Chairperson during a Council of Ministers meeting on Friday, 19 December.

He succeeds Sam Lauthan, who resigned from the post on Monday, 15 December.

While the new chairman acknowledged that significant work lies ahead, he noted that certain milestones, such as staff recruitment, are already in motion. Mr Naik attributed much of the current progress to the groundwork laid by Dr Sulliman and his predecessor.

“This state of affairs has been a true eye-opener. Some progress… is already underway. Tangible results will be visible from January,” Mr Naik stated.

The session marks what officials are calling a “new chapter” for the NADC, aimed at establishing a clear vision and concrete objectives for the coming years.

Source: Defi Media