:: MALAYSIA: SCHOOLGIRL PROSTITUTES ALARM MINISTRY ::

Dec 17, 1996
   Prostitution among Penang schoolgirls, immoral behaviour of factory workers and homosexual relationships between youths have been cited by government officials as signs of moral decay which need to be addressed. The Education Ministry said it would investigate claims that some female students in Penang were involved in prostitution after a member of the state Executive Council identified 13 girls aged between 13 and 17 who were offering sex for money "to keep up with the lifestyle of richer peers".
   In Selangor, the Chief Minister, Muhammad Taib, said factory owners should start to play an active role in curbing moral decay among workers. He said that among 5,000 cases of immoral activities uncovered by the authorities, including co-habitation and pregnancy out of wedlock, 70 per cent of those involved were Malays. Most Malays are Muslims and prohibited by religious laws from sex outside marriage.
   In Kuala Lumpur, the Health Minister, Chua Jui Meng, said a study of youths aged between 15 and 21 showed 20 per cent had experienced homosexual relationships. Describing the statistics as "alarming", he said there was a need for an education campaign on AIDS. -- BY IAN STEWART, SOURCES EAST ASIA


source : www.utopia-asia.com