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Raids on pornographic VCDs should be focussed on producers, distributors and buyers but not residential premises Press Statement by Ronnie Liu (Petaling Jaya, Wednesday): Home Ministry's Central Zone enforcement unit head Mamat Ibrahim made a statement two days ago, that the ministry would start operations to raid residential units suspected of having pornographic VCDs in the latest move to curb the distribution of the materials. We urge the ministry not to raid the residential premises, but to focus the raids on the producers, distributors and buyers at least for three reasons: One, the real culprits are the producers and distributors with both underworld and political connection. Two, the raid on residential premises tantamount to invasion of privacy. And three, this may give rise to more corruption. There is no guarantee to prevent some of the unscrupulous enforcement officers from taking advantage of the situation. We also hope that the ministry is serious about wiping out the porno VCDs trade. All the actions taken by the ministry in past were proven futile. Time and again, the porno VCDs trade has made a bigger comeback as soon as the crackdown was over. As long as corruption is still rampant, plus the lack of political determination, there is no way that the porno VCDs trade could be wiped out in the country. The same applies to the other activities like the gambling machines, distribution of drugs and ecstasy pills and other vices.   (4/6/2003) * Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew, DAP national publicity secretary