A Member of Parliament (MP) from the Islamist party PAS expressed dismay over what he believed was a sign of decaying moral values among Malaysian youths as of late.
The comment was made by Permatang Pauh MP Fawwaz Jan during a debate regarding the Yang di-Pertua Agong’s speech yesterday (Jan 20).
‘I’m saddened to see this happening’
Fawwaz told the Dewan Rakyat that he was “saddened” by the sight of clips circulating on social media which showed youths patronising nightclubs and drinking alcohol at bars to usher in the new year.
He added that this led to unruly behaviour among youths and claimed it was linked to “imported” festivals.
“Do agencies like the police, local councils, home ministry and health ministry conduct monitoring and enforcement operations during festive seasons, or for ‘imported’ festivities like Halloween and others, to curb immoral activities?
“Is the government serious about addressing this issue and strengthening the identity and character of our youths?” he said as quoted by FMT.
Called for harsher penalties for drunk driving
Meanwhile, Fawwaz, who is also Penang PAS information chief, questioned whether the government is looking into imposing stiffer punishments for drunk driving as a way to curb the issue.
He also suggested that drunk drivers who cause the death of others with their actions must immediately be made to financially compensate the next of kin of victims.
He added that failing to do so is “a great injustice to the victims and their families.”
Under Malaysia’s traffic laws, those charged with causing death while driving under the influence can be jailed between 10 and 15 years in prison, an fined between RM50,000 and RM100,000, if convicted.
This comes after amendments were made to the Road Transport Act 1987, which came into force in October 2020 and imposed harsher penalties.
Fawwaz has long been a fierce critic of alcohol consumption and “immoral activities”, which you can read more here:
