STUDENTS BETTING ON EURO 2000

IPOH: Schoolchildren have been found to be betting on the Euro 2000
football tournament, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said.

He said the ministry had received numerous reports of students betting on
football matches since the tournament started on June 11.

He warned them and the general public to stay away from illegal gambling
and betting activities.

"If they are caught, the authorities will not hesitate to bring them to
court,'' Chor said after launching the Bercham Methodist Clinic on
Thursday.

He said there were syndicates behind the illegal betting.

Chor, who is also the chairman of the MCA committee on tackling rising
social ills among youth, said the ministry was seriously dealing with the
various types of social ills affecting the youth.

He urged voluntary bodies and the public to alert the authorities if they
found youth involved in unhealthy activities, particularly drug abuse.

"We need the co-operation of the public if they find youth at discotheques
taking Ecstasy pills,'' he said.

Chor said those who tested positive in the urine test for amphetamine-type
stimulants, which included Ecstasy, could be charged under Section 15 of
the Dangerous Drug Act which carries a maximum RM5,000 fine or jail, or
both.

"The Government will not hesitate to charge first-timers, including
students and the underage. This will deter people from getting involved in
this kind of unhealthy activity,'' he added.