Pubdate: Sun, 13 Aug 2000 Source: Star, The (Malaysia) Copyright: 2000 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd. Contact: 13 Jalan 13/6, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia Website: http://www.thestar.com.my Author: Norman Ong COPS PRAISE MCA FOR TOUGH STAND ON ECSTASY JOHOR BARU: Police have expressed their appreciation to the MCA for bringing the Ecstasy pills problem to the forefront and will use all laws, including forfeiting properties of entertainment outlets which do not co-operate. Bukit Aman anti-narcotics chief Datuk Sedek Mohd Ali said the problem was eating into youths and was widespread in major towns and cities throughout the country. He said while police could act against those taking the pills, nightclub and disco operators should help to prevent the sales of the pills in their premises. "We would like to tell the traffickers that they are killing our youths. As long as there is a supply, the problem can never be solved. "As for nightclub operators who do not want to work with us, we will use the Act to seize their property. "I thank the MCA for bringing the matter up in fighting the problem,'' he told reporters yesterday. Earlier, Sedek represented the Inspector-General of Police at the handing over of duties between out-going Johor police chief Datuk Zulkipli Mat Noor and Deputy Commissioner Kamaruddin Mohd Ismail. Sedek said in many cases youths were not aware of the consequences when they took the pills which started of as a designer drug from Holland in the 1980s. He said the present day Ecstasy pills affected the nervous system and led takers to do things such as climbing flagpoles. He said although the problem "was not so serious'' it was widespread and traffickers were sending their consignments through the post to avoid detection. "In Selangor we seized over 100kg of syabu which was sent by a local trafficker through the post. "Early this year we caught another local trafficker dealing in 10kg of syabu in Sabah,'' he said. Sedek said supply could come from anywhere and not specifically from neighbouring countries. He said there were still many laboratories making the pills even though police managed to uncover many of them. Sedek said Johor police had a firm control of the situation and had uncovered seven such laboratories in the state so far. - --- MAP posted-by: John Chase