Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (C) chairs a cabinet meeting in Putrajaya January 17, 2019 (Source: malaymail.com)KualaLumpur (VNA) – Malaysian authorities are considering thepossibility of setting a time limit for young people under 18 to be out of theirhouses without adult supervision to protect them from negative activities andinfluences.
Speakingat a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Eradicating Drugs on January 17,Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said authorities are seriously mullinga curfew for children under 18 as records show that glue sniffing is seriousamong the youth.
Malaysiawould not be the first country to introduce a curfew on teenagers and childrenas Iceland had previously applied a similar one, she said, adding this is amodel that Malaysia can emulate.
It may not be easy to implement but this isnecessary and can help prevent young people from being involved in negativeactivities, particularlywhen it comes to drugs, the Deputy PM stressed.
UnderIceland’s Child Protection Act, children under 12 may not be outdoors after 8pmunless accompanied by an adult.
Childrenaged 13 to 16 may not be outdoors after 10pm, unless they are on their way homefrom a recognised event organised by their schools, sports organisations oryouth clubs.
Thosewho break the curfew are taken to a police station and their parents will haveto pick them up there.
WanAzizah also added that a new law to deal with psychotropic substance abusers isin the pipeline, adding that this is aimed at tackling the use of inhalants andglue sniffing habits among young people.-VNA
VNA
