Parti Rakyat Malaysia alleged today that illegal businesses such entertainment centres and video arcades were allowed to continue because the operators were protected by "powerful people" including politicians.

PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali claimed that it is a well-known fact that many operators are protected by "powerful people" who are not only policemen and members of local councils but also members of certain political parties.

"This political party has been making lots of noise but at the same time its leaders find ways to assure that no action is being taken on those involved," he said.

Syed Husin was obviously referring to MCA, which has been actively campaigning against Ecstasy pills, illegal gambling dens and video arcades, all of which, the party claimed, was destroying youth, especially the Chinese.

"Leaders of that party are afraid that their positions will be threatened if stern action is taken against those involved," he added.

Syed Husin said that PRM does not agree with certain parties calling for all entertainment centres and video arcades to be shut down.

He said that only illegally-run outlets and those involved in the distribution of Esctasy pills as well as those which conducted illegal gambling should be shut down immediately.

He also said that the cabinet has been made aware of corruption and links between government officials and proprietors of the centres by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) lately.

However, ACA chief Ahmad Zaki Husin said yesterday that the agency did not have sufficient proof to take action.

"This seems to be the usual excuse given by the ACA," said Syed Husin, referring to cases such as the Perwaja Steel scandal ([#1]Ex-Perwaja chief wants his day in court to tell all[/#], Sept 8) and the latest "flying licence" expos involving the Road Transport Department ([#2]Gerakan wants JPJ privatisation stopped[/#], Oct 3).

"It is obvious that certain quarters are only interested in cheap publicity (by appearing in the media) instead of doing anything effective," he added.

He said that steps taken to control illegal activities were not effective. There also seems to be a lack of cooperation between the police and local councils, with the two bodies "finding fault with each other", he observed