West Aceh protocol civil servant suspended over methamphetamine use

The West Aceh Regency Government has temporarily suspended a civil servant, identified by the initials MDN (41), who was arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of methamphetamine.

The Regent of West Aceh, Tarmizi, stated that this measure was taken as an initial administrative sanction while awaiting the ongoing legal process by the police. “There is no other way. We are giving full authority to law enforcement; we are leaving it to the law enforcement agencies. There is no defence,” Tarmising told journalists in Meulaboh on Saturday.

According to him, the local government has also imposed a sanction in the form of a 50 per cent reduction in income for the individual until a court decision with permanent legal force is reached.

He noted that the local government has repeatedly reminded all civil servants not to involve themselves with narcotics, both during inauguration ceremonies and on various other occasions, including during the post-Eid al-Fitr assembly.

“We have reminded them many times not to be involved in narcotics in any form,” he said.

Tarmizi revealed that MDN had been serving in the Protocol Division of the West Aceh Regency Regional Secretariat.

The West Aceh Regency Government, Tarmizi continued, will take firm action against any civil servant proven to be involved in drug abuse as a form of commitment to maintaining the integrity of officials and public services.

Previously, MDN (41) was arrested by the West Aceh Police Narcotics Unit in mid-June 2024. He was apprehended in Gampong Lapang, Johan Pahlawan District, with evidence consisting of one package of methamphetamine weighing 2.2 grams and a smoking device (bong).