IMPOSE NEW LAWS, COUNCIL

IPOH: The MCA has advised local councils to impose conditions which
require owners of entertainment outlets and nightspots to ensure that
their premises are free of Ecstasy pills and other drugs.

Party president Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik said the conditions
should also require owners to close their outlets at the specified
time.

"If your licence stipulates that you must close at 1am, you close at
1am.

"There are several clubs in Kuala Lumpur which open from 3am until
noon. How do those patronising such places go to school or work?

Dr Ling said Ecstasy users were also known to have been involved in
accidents early in the morning.

"You can hear their car (stereo) go boom, boom, boom and see their
heads shaking,'' he told reporters after giving away prizes to winners
of the Malaysia Olympiad Memory Championships 2000 at the Tow Boo
Keong hall here yesterday.

Dr Ling said the MCA had also asked the Road Transport Department to
look into the problem.

He said that MCA would also be setting up committees at all levels in
the party to combat the Ecstasy menace, adding that the party had so
far received a lot of co-operation from all parties.

"The Inter-Religious Council of Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and
Sikhism also support us fully. We have had meetings with the Chinese
Chambers of Commerce and Chinese Assembly Halls and they support us
too,'' he said.