LING: MAKE SURE CHILDREN ARE IN BED

KEPALA BATAS: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik asked parents
yesterday to check on their children even after they "had gone to
bed''.

He said some of these children would slip out from their bedrooms when
their parents were sleeping only to return the next morning.

"They will either go to the discotheques or sell Ecstasy pills to their
friends,'' he said after meeting Kepala Batas MCA leaders at Penang
Golf Resort here.

Dr Ling said it was a serious social problem when children aged between
12 and 13 years frequented discotheques until 4am and skipped school
the next day.

He also said some entertainment outlets have defied the "deadline''
ruling imposed by local authorities by operating until the wee hours.

"Local authorities should ensure that the operators do not flout the
conditions stipulated in the permit as operating until early morning
only encourages youngsters to take Ecstasy pills.

"They can then dance for a long period until their eyes roll up,'' he
said.

Dr Ling thanked the police and other enforcement units for taking
swift action to check the sales of Ecstasy pills which have dropped
almost 50% since MCA highlighted the problem.

On the anti-Ecstasy campaign in schools, Dr Ling said preparations
were under way with a joint effort between MCA and the Education
Ministry.

He said it was imperative to mentally prepare students to say 'NO' to
Ecstasy.

"The posters are ready and teachers will talk about the danger of the
pills during school assemblies once the campaign starts.''