As a school teacher, I am dismayed with the statement made by DAP national chairman, Lim Kit Siang in support of EPF's investments in tobacco, alcohol and gambling concerns.

I respect Lim and agree with many of his views on other issues, but I cannot support him on this one. While I appreciate the government's decision to order a halt, I am also thankful to Mahfuz Omar (PAS MP) for raising the issue in Parliament.

I hope to set the issue in proper perspective. Our school-going children and youths, Muslims or non-Muslims (especially the Chinese in urban areas), are increasingly exposed to free sex, smoking, gambling and alcohol consumption.

Adults are setting bad examples as individuals or indirectly through advertisements, movies, videos. The age-boundary of school-going youths getting into these bad habits is becoming lower. Primary schools students are smoking and gambling in schools. Youths as young as 15 are consuming hard liquors.

Smoking, gambling and alcoholism lead to gangsterism among male students, and prostitution among female students. They are lured into vice to maintain their lifestyles. While students of all races and religion have acquired these habits and lifestyles, it is the urban Chinese that are predominant here.

I do not want to impose my religion on other Malaysian for the Quran clearly says that "there is no compulsion in religion". However, these vices are not to be encouraged or normalised openly by the government, opposition or other right-minded adults in our society. I hope DAP and Lim would accept my views and opinions in positive light.