Pubdate: Mon, 31 Jul 2000
Source: Star (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2000 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.
Contact:  13 Jalan 13/6, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Website: http://www.thestar.com.my
Author: Derrick Vinesh and Sim Leoi Leoi

ECSTASY PILL PEDDLERS WANT MCA LEADERS TO SHUT UP

PENANG: MCA leaders have been receiving threatening telephone calls
since the party started its war against the "Ecstasy'' menace, said
Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik.

The threats, he said, were likely the work of gangsters or businessmen
who were involved in the selling and distribution of the drug.

"Why threaten people who are trying to rescue the (Chinese) race and
its youths.

"Why don't they go and threaten the fellow who is selling the drug
which is destroying our youths?,'' he told reporters after a dialogue
session with Penang Chinese Town Hall leaders yesterday.

Dr Ling said those who had received the anonymous calls included state
assemblymen and division leaders, including those in Penang and Johor.

"It started two weeks ago when the party launched its campaign against
'Ecstasy' pills and gaming machines.

"So far there has not been an untoward incident related to the
calls,'' he said.

He said the calls were not extortion-oriented but more of a "telling
off'' for the leaders to stop talking about the unhealthy practice in
the open.

"It is quite normal for people to make threats. But I am proud to say
that they (the leaders) are brave and are 100% committed (to their
quest).

"They know what they are doing is right and we tell them if one or two
persons say no (to Ecstasy), then maybe the campaign is
ineffective.

"But if 800,000 (MCA) members say no, who can the culprits threaten?''
he said.

Dr Ling said that he was not sure if any of the leaders had lodged
police reports but was confident the party had the full support of the
Government and the police.

He said he had not come across any Chinese organisation which was
against the MCA's fight to save youths.

"I appeal to these businessmen that this sort of money (from the
selling of pills) should not be earned. There are other healthier ways
to earn a living,'' he added.

Dr Ling encouraged the people and media to give information and
feedback on the menace through all MCA assemblymen, state leaders and
their respective service centres as well as public complaints
departments.

The people can also forward their views through the MCA website at
(http://www.mca.org.my).

Earlier in Kuala Lumpur, Dr Ling said the MCA would submit reports to
the Cabinet from time to time on the use of "Ecstasy'' pills and
illegal gambling slot machines among Chinese youths.

He said the move would highlight the concern of the MCA over the whole
situation.

"The report will detail the areas flush with these illegal activities
and the steps taken by the local authorities to counter them.

"It will also identify areas where no action has been taken against
the operators of this menace and state the reasons why the local
authorities have failed to act,'' he said after launching the national
seminar for MCA local council and district officers.

Almost 90% of Ecstasy pills users were Chinese youth while debts due
to gambling habits had caused much friction among family members in
the community, he said.

Dr Ling said the report would be compiled from notes taken from each
MCA branch in areas where Ecstasy pill consumption and illegal
gambling machines were known to exist.

"In a recent meeting with the mentris besar and chief ministers, the
Prime Minister had expressed concern over the widespread abuse of
these two illegal activities.

"The Prime Minister has also urged the states to act against these
menaces before they get out of hand,'' he added.

Dr Ling said although MCA would officially launch an anti-Ecstasy and
anti-gambling campaign on Aug 7, it could not afford to wait until
then.

"We have to start doing something now. We can't let the menaces spread
from the Chinese to the other races in the country,'' he said.

Dr Ling said MCA would try to persuade parents to better supervise the
habits of their children as part of its campaign.

"We have received good response from the community. Some 81 centres
for these illegal activities have closed down in Raub, Pahang, while
in Kuantan, around 400 centres have also shut down since we started
addressing the problems,'' he said.
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