Flushing Out Immoral, Illegal Activities
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - Some 150 personnel from four enforcement agencies took part in an integrated operation early yesterday morning in Brunei-Muara District to flush out immoral and illegal activities carried out by mainly youths at locations identified as their loafing points.

Codenamed "Operasi Lepak" (Loafing Operation), the enforcement agencies - comprising Royal Brunei Police Force, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Narcotics Control Bureau and the Royal Custom and Excise - mainly centred their operation at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.

The area has been well-known as a loafing point for youngsters after midnight Yvhere they allegedly organised illegal car and motorcycle racings, drug consumption, alcohol drinking and close proximity between boys and girls.

Testimony to their alcohol consumption could be empty beer cans and bottles that can be found lying around the area while illegal racings have become an open secret and even being filmed once by national television.

At a roadblock set up in the area, the Land Transport Department and the Patrol and Traffic Unit, Investigation and Traffic Department, Royal Brunei Police Force issued compound fines as it examined more than 100 vehicles for illegal and excessive modification, or being driven without insurance and road tax coverage.

The officers from a department under Ministry of Religious Affairs investigated a number of male and female youths who were not 'Muslim'.

The Narcotics Control Bureau apprehended some youths suspected of drW consumption where they were required to undergo urine test.

The Royal Custom and Excise meanwhile found beers at the bonnet of a vehicle.

Eyewitnesses congratulated the integrated enforcement agencies for carrying out the operation at a time when the youths who were mostly Muslims should have spent their time at home or mosques glorifying the month of Ramadhan

"Somehow teens and social ills seem to go hand-in-hand where at their tender age, they are easily influenced with what they see, hear or read, especially for those who do not have a strong religious upbringing," they said.

"Thus peer pressure definitely plays -a central role in causing moral decay among the teens."

. "The Islamic approach is to solve the problems from the roots. If you don't smoke, you'll not have drug addiction. If you don't drink, you won't - have problem with alcoholism and violence," they added.

They also urged for parents to play a role to advise their children on their social life and movement.

"Parents must know what their children are doing. If they go out... advise them not to stay out too late. Children should call their parents if they can't come home early," they said. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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