I wish to share my opinions on the ongoing VCD debacle. I shall strictly reserve my comments for pirated VCDs since I believe the porn VCD industry should be terminated. It might even happen some day, but the same cannot be said about the pirated VCDs.

Surely there must be a reason why consumers strive and opt for pirated VCDs. The other day I watched with utter glee our minister Muhyiddin Yassin rapping record companies on their lack of action in helping the government curb the VCD menace.

While I must commend the minister for his somewhat redundant actions, I cannot help but feel the government too should play a part in eradicating this menace. By that I don't mean the all-out war against peddlers which is in full-swing right now.

VCD peddlers are resourceful in their dealings and will find new ways to market their products in the near future. It is my opinion that the government should instead opt for a more intrinsic method in eradicating the problem.

Firstly, pirated VCDs are largely attractive because they're cheap, no doubt about that. The consumer will not spend RM 24.90 on a movie when the same title is available for RM 5 at the VCD vendor. Maybe the quality suffers for the latest movies recorded directly off cinema screens, but older titles that are recorded from other sources (film's master copy, DVDs) are similar if not better quality wise, than their counterparts in major video stores.

Pirated VCDs are always full length and uncensored while their more 'original' twin usually suffers from rampant cuts. A little profanity - snip, nudity - snip, violence - snip, ' tahyul ' - snip. This eventually leaves the consumer short changed!

The next reason is the need by consumers to watch a new movie as soon as it is released in the West. In this internet age, word travels fast and viewers simply cannot wait two or three months (sometimes more) for their favourite film to premiere here.

Of course some movies are beginning to be screened simultaneously worldwide, but much of it is restricted to mindless popcorn summer fare. I'm sure the normal moviegoer is ecstatic with this development, but what about the real film aficionado? Thus pirated VCDs provide such an escape, where the latest movies are available even if they are obscure, independent films.

Then there is the question of availability. A lot of interesting films are simply not released at our cinemas and major video outlets because of the rather childish rating system and the censorship board's narrow-mindedness.

The rating employed at the moment is actually a joke! Recently a harmless comic book adapted movie was banned just because the main protagonist had a 'devilish-sounding' name, thus depriving the fans of the chance to see their favourite character in action. What do the fans do? Buy the pirated version of course! There are a lot more reasons are why the pirated VCD industry flourishes.

Why the government refuses to treat moviegoers with respect and the dignity they deserve is still mind boggling.

Come up with a new rating system (maybe one that is akin to our neighbours) and revolutionise the censorship board by removing the old dinosaurs. These issues must be addressed to eliminate the demand that keeps the pirated VCD industry afloat. Only then will the goverment win the war.