THE MUSIC PLAYS ON BUT THE RAVERS ARE MISSING

KUALA LUMPUR -- Techno and house music continue to pound at clubs and
discos in Kuala Lumpur. It is 3 am and the vibes are just right for an
Ecstasy-fuelled party.

But the ravers are missing.

Since the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) began its anti-Ecstasy
publicity drive last week, police have been conducting regular checks at
entertainment outlets in the city.

"There is too much attention. People are scared of coming out to party
because of police raids,'' says one regular Ecstasy user.

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik wants the authorities to revoke
the operating licences of outlets where Ecstasy is sold.

He also wants closing times to be adhered to strictly. Depending on the
area, clubs are usually allowed to operate until 1 am or 2 am. But rave
clubs only start "happening'' from 2 am.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung says strict enforcement of
closing times at clubs will be effective against Ecstasy use.

"The police will continue raiding suspect establishments for as long as it
takes to combat Ecstasy use,'' he told The Sunday Times. He said the
authorities were buoyed by the support from the people ever since the MCA
began its campaign.

"It is the people's war now so it makes it easier for enforcement,'' he said.

Not contend with just fighting the Ecstasy scourge, he said the authorities
were also targeting other party drugs such as methamphetamine, which is
used in combination with Ecstasy.

Known by its street name of "syabu'', it is used as a "downer'' to bring
the user down from an Ecstasy-induced euphoria.

Proof that the MCA's campaign is effective against an illicit trade,
estimated to be worth up to RM20 million (S$8.8 million) a month, is the
fact that its leaders have been receiving threatening telephone calls to
stop the campaign.

But the party has vowed to carry on because most Ecstasy users are from the
Chinese community and some leaders are calling it Malaysia's Opium War.