VCD raids: M'sia warns officers against leaks

KUALA LUMPUR--The government in its efforts to ban the sale of VCDs and CDs in open spaces, will take stern action against any of its enforcement officers who leak information on planned raids to "the other side".

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said this when journalists asked him about allegations that enforcement officers were on the "take", tipping off VCD peddlers about impending raids.

"To a large extent, they have done that ... maybe there are some among them (enforcement officers) who are not too committed ... we would like to know who they are," he was quoted in The Sun.

Muhyiddin when asked about the outcome of the raids, said: "We have achieved some degree of success ... but I think the peddlers are still provoking the agencies and enforcement officers by flouting the law and selling in the open."

But peddlers in the city are largely unconcerned by the government's announcements to stop VCD sales out in the open.

The popular night markets in many areas in the city are still populated by street VCD peddlers, some plying their wares under the noses of police officers on patrol.

VCD movies which used to sell for RM7 a piece before the ban, are now going for RM10 for three copies in some areas.