Absurdity.

Parliament: Cyber cafes to close by midnight soon
By NG CHENG YEE

KUALA LUMPUR: All Internet and cyber cafes will have to close by midnight daily when new guidelines to control theses businesses are enforced soon, said Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin.

He said operators of such cafes would also banned from using tinted glasses in their premises under the new rules.

“Operators must ensure that their shops can be see through from the outside,” he said, adding that this was to ensure that no illegal activities were carried out in the premises.

He said operators of Internet cafes would also only be allowed to operate from the ground floor buildings, adding that the new guidelines would be issued to all local authorities soon.

“Under the revised rules, those below 12 years old must be accompanied by their parents or guardian and they will only allowed to stay in such centres until 10pm,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby Monday.

He said the guidelines had been drawn up and were ready to be enforced at anytime but did not state when the enforcement would begin.

Hamzah said Internet cafes, which offered Internet facilities, and cyber cafes, where food and beverages were also allowed to be sold, would be banned from providing gaming activities, gambling, pornography and music and publications with negative elements.

“Both cigarettes and alcohol will also be prohibited from being sold or consumed at these premises,” he said.

Hamzah said operators would also be required to keep a book to record the entry and departure time of their patrons.

He said it had been found that some students had played truant by changing their uniforms and visiting Internet and cyber cafes during school hours.

“We will also issue warning to operators who allow students, who skip classes, in to their centres as this had been getting out of hand lately,” he said.

Hamzah said local authorities would blacklist those who did not comply with the guidelines.

“Their names will be sent to all local authorities and they will not be allowed to open such business again in any part of the country,” he said.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/7/nation/20080707162759&sec=nation

The most absurd part about the entire article is this,

"would be banned from providing gaming activities, gambling, pornography and music and publications with negative elements."

Why?

It's indicating that, games like Counter Strike, CoD4 and DotA is prohibited in Cyber Cafes. That's weird, didn't I just posted about ESWC 2008?

Might as well ban all imports of games and music with "negative elements"?

I hope what Gary said about the Government going lenient with their ruling takes place as usual.

"It's only temporary."

The time, energy and money spent on this could be put on MUCH better use such as trying to lower down the crime rates around the country.

Poking their noses into the gaming community isn't something I'll tolerate. Ridiculous ruling equals no votes for the current party. I know this is something repeated over and over again, but I'll ensure that gamers will have their say heard loud and clear.

Thanks for your time.

God bless, cheers.