Nur Jazlan: Impose curfew to stop night loitering

PETALING JAYA: A curfew should be imposed to prevent kids and teenagers from loitering around major roads at night, says Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

In proposing this to the Johor state government, the Deputy Home Minister said a stronger approach was needed to keep them safe during the wee hours.

“Police have been taking action over the past 10 years but on a softer and advisory manner.

“We can’t take harsh action because they are underaged. Now, it is time to get tough,” said the Pulai MP.

Yesterday, eight teenagers were killed after they were mowed down by a car, driven by a 22-year-old woman, in the wee hours in Johor Baru. Five other teenagers sustained broken legs, two with internal bleeding in the brain and another with head injuries.

Nur Jazlan urged parents to be more responsible in looking after the whereabouts and activities of their children.

He pointed out that the car driver had complied with the traffic laws and that the cyclists were apparently racing.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims.

“Read the news on the 8 teenagers and children who died from being hit by a vehicle in Johor this morning. It is very sad. Condolences to the families of the victims,” he said in his Twitter account @NajibRazak.

In George Town, Deputy Women, Family and Community Develop­ment Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said for a start, it was important to provide counselling for the parents of victims.