The government has decided not to extend opening times in bars and nightclubs until 5am because of fears over drug use, a report said Sunday.

Clubs and bars would only be allowed to operate until 2am, Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharom said in the Mingguan Malaysia.

"Many of those who frequent the entertainment outlets obtain drugs inside the centres," he was quoted as saying.

Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor had recently proposed that night clubs be allowed to extend their operating hours to 5am to make nightlife more attractive to tourists.

Tourism is Malaysia's second-largest foreign exchange earner. The industry contributed RM31.9 billion in foreign exchange last year, a 7.8 percent increase from RM29.6 billion in 2004.