- copy cats

Printed below is a piece of news I read in the Star newspapers today: "Friday January 2, 2009"

Party cut short for 60 revellers in KL and Penang
KUALA LUMPUR: Revellers had much fun during the New Year eve gatherings here and in Penang but some even got carried away, resulting in the arrest of 60 people. While eight were picked up in Penang, another 52 people were arrested here.

In George Town, a man who allegedly sprayed aerosol foam on a policeman was nabbed at Gurney Drive about 12.15am. George Town OCPD Asst Comm Azam Abd Hamid said the man in his 20s was apparently fooling around with his friends along the popular seafront promenade when he accidentally sprayed the foam at plainclothes policemen. They confiscated four cans from him. ACP Azam said the man, who was released at 2pm yesterday, would be charged for committing a “minor” offence. Five other people were caught for various offences, including illegal racing and getting involvement in arguments. Deputy police chief Senior Asst Comm (I) Datuk Salleh Mat Rasid said a 42-year-old Filipino was also arrested for basking with her guitar while asking for donations at Upper Penang Road. “We also nabbed a man for selling aerosol foam without a permit at the Esplanade,” he said.

In Kuala Lumpur, 52 revelers were picked up by the Dang Wangi and Kuala Lumpur police for unruly behaviour, including street fights, snatch-thefts, molestation and causing public nuisance. They were picked up in Bukit Bintang, Dataran Merdeka and Jalan Sultan Ismail. A few tourists and locals were also detained when they got into a fight following a drinking spree in Jalan Alor. Patrol police also seized aerosol cans from those spraying passing vehicles with the foam in Bukit Bintang. City CID chief Senior Asst Comm II Ku Chin Wah confirmed the arrests".

It's not the right way to start a New Year! Malaysian youth seemed quick to adopt the 'B' side of popular culture. The idea of having fun nowadays is to check into hotel rooms or rent apartments for drinking alcohols, taking drugs and having sex! At such festive time, even our streets are not safe anymore as can be observed from the above unruly behaviour which had escalated into violence. Would you let your child attend any of such party? How do you tell them No? As the New Year unfolds, let's hope that 2009 brings us more good than bad news, more happy instead of sad endings and less pollution for a greener world.