Lack of enforcement by the authorities and self-regulation among the operators, and coupled with public apathy have been cited as the main reasons behind the crowding of minors in cybercafes in Penang.

Like the tobacco ban, laws governing cybercafes, such as Penang's Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Enactment 1998 and the local government licensing regulations, strictly prohibit underage children from entering such premises, let alone using their facilities.

However, enforcement agencies, such as the police, local municipalities and district offices, rarely carry out any effective operation to punish and flush out operators, who make their money by allowing juveniles to play computer games in their cybercafes.

The Consumer Association of Penang is of the view that the failure of the authorities in enforcing the law consistently is the main reason why such an unhealthy cyber trend can flourish.

"All the relevant authorities, such as the police, local municipalities and district offices should take firm action against these operators by carrying out regular operations on their outlets," said its president SM Mohamed Idris.

He suggested that education authorities and schools, especially parents teachers associations (PTAs), should take the initiative to bar school children from cybercafes.

Majority of customers

A check by malaysiakini revealed that minors, many in school uniforms formed the majority of customers at these cafes.

These schoolchildren crowd virtually all cafes in urban areas after school hours in the afternoon.

They spend between RM1 and RM3 daily, undoubtedly using their pocket money to play computer games instead of surfing the Internet to gain knowledge.

Several schoolchildren are also seen indulging in gambling at these cafes. For the record, police have taken action on several operators, who allow gambling in their cafes, under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.

The local authorities have also revoked the licences of several operators caught breaching the law.

However, action has often been far in between and operators resume operations once they have paid the fines.

Opinions differ among the public on whom to be blamed for the situation.

A 42-year-old businessman, Zukri Valenteno, blamed it on the greed of operators for focusing solely on pure monetary gains.

"The operators should regulate themselves. They should ban children from their premises, not wait for the authorities to teach them what to do," he said.

An operator, who did not want to be identified, however, justified the trend by claiming that cybercafes cannot make money without the schoolchildren and computer games.

"Every operator wants profits in computer business, not losses," he said.

Parents should monitor kids

Bukit Mertajam-based SK Kampung Baru Parent-Teacher Association chairperson L Bala said resident associations can play a pivotal role by reporting errant cybercafes to the authorities.

Parents too, he said should constantly monitor their children whereabouts and refrain from giving excess pocket money to them.

"Lack of public cooperation and apathy of parents have also been major factors encouraging this unhealthy trend," he said.

Bayan Baru MIC division chairman M. Nganasegaran blamed it on both the lack of enforcement and irresponsible operators.

"Strict enforcement of laws and self-regulation among operators must go together. The authorities can conduct raids but if the operators refuse to observe the law then it will be a no-win situation for all," he said.

ATHI VEERANGGAN is malaysiakini's Penang-based stringer.