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| Southeast Asia |
| Malaysian state to curb sex dens, alcohol ads |
| 2002-12-30 |
| The Straits Times Police in the Malaysian state of Selangor, ruled by prime minister Mahathir Mohamad's United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) have said that the owners of premises found being used for sex shows or as prostitution dens will be considered guilty of breaking the law together with the operators of these outlets. 'The owners cannot plead ignorance. It is their responsibility to check who their tenants are and what kind of activities are going on there,' said a police spokesman on Saturday. Actually, there are lots of similar ordinances in the USA, some passed by bluenoses and some passed when the local "adult entertainment" areas have gotten out of control... He said that the police, together with enforcement officers from other relevant authorities, were stepping up operations to rid the state of illegal sexual activities. Such activities, including the influx of foreign prostitutes, have led wives to openly complain about their husbands' wayward ways. "Hookers! We're being overrun by hookers!" Meanwhile, the Selangor state government intends to regulate the excessive advertising of alcoholic beverages, especially at family-oriented eating outlets, said a state executive councillor. 'Selangor Chief Minister Mohamed Khir Toyo has no intention of disallowing the sale of alcoholic beverages as he recognises that the state is made up of different races with different orientations towards alcohol consumption,' said state councilor Ch'ng Toh Eng. 'He knows, for instance, the Chinese community takes to drinking at social functions and at festive occasions. He accepts it and does not wish to take away the community's right,' said Ch'ng, who is also secretary of the Selangor Malaysian Chinese Association. Not yet, anyway... He said Khir was concerned over beer advertisements with scantily-dressed women found at eating places frequented by families. On Monday, Khir warned beer companies to reduce and sanitise their advertisements in family-oriented food outlets. "Oh, no! Not scantily-dressed wimmin! Horrors!" |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #1 When I visited Penang I was surprised, since Malaysia is a Muslim dictatorship - where they hang people regularly for smuggling, that drugs and prostitution are indeed available if you look around in the right places. As a fan of drugs and prostitues, I thought it was pretty cool - and hope this is just a temporary crackdown. |
| Posted by: Scooter McGruder 2002-12-30 10:07:48 |