PETALING JAYA: All state police chiefs have been ordered to wipe out the sale and distribution of pirated and pornographic video compact discs (VCDs) within two weeks.
Federal CID director Datuk Seri Salleh Mat Som said the police commercial crimes division and the special branch had been ordered to work together to curb these activities.
“The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad has instructed Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Norian Mai to put an end to such rampant activities after obtaining feedback on the seriousness of the problem.
“Whatever projects conducted by the commercial crimes division which are not of priority will have to give way to this operation,” he said while launching the Commercial Crimes Division’s 2003 annual conference at the Hyatt Regency Saujana here yesterday.
“I strongly believe that if all government agencies and enforcement units work together, the illegal VCD problem can be eradicated.”
Salleh also said state police chiefs had been instructed to put a stop to slot machine activities as well as check the influx of illegal workers into the country.
On May 26, City police scored their biggest success in the crackdown on pirated and pornographic materials following the seizure of over 1.5 million copies of pirated digital video discs (DVDs) for game consoles and 140 master copies worth over RM22.5mil in Cheras.
Police also detained three workers, in their 20s, who
were inside the shop during the operation.
In a bid to evade detection, VCD manufacturers and
traders have resorted to using underage children to peddle their VCDs in the Klang Valley. Since early this month, 20 children had been arrested and charged. Others have shifted their sales to the rural areas.
Home Ministry chief assistant secretary for enforcement, publication and film censorship Alias Mamat said on Wednesday that in the next phase of enforcement, the Government would act against buyers of pornographic VCDs, saying they could be fined up to RM50,000 or jailed up to 10 years or both under the Film Censorship Act.
Those who possess pirated VCDs can also be fined up to RM30,000 or jailed up to five years or both.
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